This bill amends the definition of "secured premises" in relation to the offense of criminal trespass, establishing clearer guidelines for property owners to designate their property as secured. The bill modifies RSA 635:2, III(b)(1) to specify that a person must know they are entering a secured premises, and it redefines "secured premises" in RSA 635:2, V from "place" to "private property." Additionally, it requires that property be posted in a manner that complies with RSA 635:4, which includes specific requirements for signage to effectively communicate restrictions on access.

Furthermore, the bill introduces new provisions under RSA 635:4 regarding the posting of signs to prohibit trespassing. It mandates that signs must be made of durable material, clearly visible, and include specific language regarding prohibited activities. The bill also emphasizes the need for landowners to provide reasonable access to commonly used public areas while still maintaining their rights to restrict other uses of their property. The act will take effect 60 days after its passage, and while it is expected to have indeterminable fiscal impacts on state and local expenditures, it does not project any revenue changes.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 635:2, 635:4
HB1139 text: 635:2, 635:4