This bill proposes to increase the penalties for individuals who willfully attempt to elude law enforcement officers. Specifically, it amends RSA 265:4, II to include new provisions that impose a minimum suspension of driving privileges for at least six months for those who violate the law by increasing speed, extinguishing headlamps while in motion, or abandoning a vehicle during a pursuit. Additionally, it establishes that any person found guilty of these actions will face a mandatory minimum sentence of five consecutive days in a house of corrections, which cannot be suspended or deferred.

The bill also retains existing penalties for other violations under the same statute, classifying them as a class A misdemeanor. The effective date for these changes is set for January 1, 2027. The fiscal impact of the bill is indeterminable, as it may affect the judicial and correctional systems, potentially influencing costs related to prosecution, incarceration, probation, and parole for state, county, and local governments.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 265:4
SB553 text: 265:4