This bill amends the Civil Rights Act by repealing and reenacting RSA 354-B:1 to establish a new standard for civil rights enforcement. The new language specifies that any person who commits unlawful acts motivated by hostility towards certain protected characteristics—such as race, religion, sexual orientation, or disability—will be subject to civil liability. The unlawful acts include using unprivileged force, committing acts of violence, causing damage to property, or threatening such actions. Additionally, the bill clarifies that "threatening to commit" involves communicating an intent to inflict harm that a reasonable person would interpret as a credible threat.

The bill also includes a provision stating that it does not prohibit conduct or speech protected under the U.S. Constitution or the New Hampshire Constitution. Furthermore, it establishes that interfering with the rights secured by this chapter is unlawful. The act is set to take effect on January 1, 2027. The fiscal impact of the bill is indeterminable, as it may affect judicial and correctional systems, potentially influencing costs related to prosecution, incarceration, and probation for state and local governments.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 354-B:1
SB464 text: 354-B:1