This bill redefines the crime of endangering the welfare of a child or incompetent by repealing and reenacting RSA 639:3. The new legal language specifies that any person who has a duty of care, protection, or support for a child under 18 years of age or an incompetent individual, and who violates these duties or induces such individuals to engage in conduct that endangers their safety or health, will face penalties based on the nature of the endangerment. Specifically, if the endangerment is negligent, it will be classified as a class A misdemeanor, while knowing endangerment will be classified as a class B felony. Additionally, a person convicted of a second or subsequent offense will also be guilty of a class B felony. If negligent conduct results in serious bodily injury or death, the offender will face a class A felony charge.

The bill also includes an effective date of January 1, 2027, and notes that the fiscal impact on state and local governments is indeterminable, as it may affect judicial and correctional systems, including costs related to prosecution, incarceration, probation, and parole. The bill does not anticipate any revenue generation but may lead to increased expenditures for the General Fund. The agencies contacted regarding this bill include the Judicial Branch, Department of Justice, and Department of Corrections, among others.