This bill amends existing laws concerning penalties for disobeying an officer, modifies governmental liability standards for negligence, and establishes due process protections for students and faculty at publicly funded colleges and universities in New Hampshire. It introduces new penalties for disobeying an officer, categorizing certain violations as class A misdemeanors and more severe infractions, such as reckless driving or causing serious bodily injury during a pursuit, as class B felonies. Additionally, the bill mandates that political subdivisions indemnify employees for negligent conduct occurring within the scope of their employment, provided it is not due to wanton or reckless behavior.

Furthermore, the bill creates a new chapter detailing due process rights for students, student organizations, and faculty during disciplinary proceedings at public institutions. Key rights include written notice of allegations, access to evidence, the presumption of innocence, and the right to an impartial hearing, which must be provided before any disciplinary actions are taken, except in cases of imminent threats to health or safety. The bill also repeals and reenacts RSA 507-B:2, increasing the liability cap for governmental units from $325,000 to $475,000 per claimant, with a total cap of $1,425,000 per incident, and ensures that no institution can implement rules offering less protection than those established in the new chapter. The effective dates for various provisions are staggered, with some taking effect as early as July 1, 2026, and others on January 1, 2027.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 265:4
As Amended by the House: 265:4, 507-B:4, 507-B:7-a, 31:105
SB409 text: 265:4