"Marisol's Law," also known as HB 1595-FN, seeks to enhance the judicial response to domestic violence in New Hampshire by implementing comprehensive training for judges and establishing a new domestic violence program within the judicial branch. The bill mandates that judges and nonjudicial employees complete initial and ongoing education on domestic violence and stalking dynamics. It introduces a lethality assessment program for law enforcement to use when domestic violence is suspected and allows victims to submit affidavits regarding safety concerns during family court proceedings. Additionally, the bill broadens the definition of "abuse" to include credible threats based on behavioral patterns and introduces new stalking offenses related to electronic devices. It also revises the annulment statute to expand the list of violent crimes and ensures that victims are notified and can provide input before a defendant's annulment petition is granted.

The bill further amends existing laws to strengthen protections for victims of domestic violence. It adds a new subparagraph to RSA 173-B:4, preventing defendants from interfering with the plaintiff's legal documents, and requires courts to contact plaintiffs before denying temporary relief requests. All temporary orders must be served promptly on defendants by peace officers, who must also notify victims upon service. The bill enhances penalties for violations of protective orders and revises ex parte order requirements, necessitating an affidavit regarding notice to the other party. It also mandates the Department of Corrections to report on a petitioner's criminal history during annulment proceedings and allows victims to present their views in court. While the bill does not allocate funding for its implementation, it is projected to incur significant costs for the Judicial Branch and the Department of Justice, with estimated expenditures ranging from $255,000 to $507,000 in the initial years following its effective date of January 1, 2027.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 490-K:2, 490-K:3, 173-B:1, 173-B:4, 173-B:8, 173-B:9, 173-B:10, 461-A:9, 458:16, 633:3-a, 651:5
HB1595 text: 490-K:2, 490-K:3, 173-B:1, 173-B:4, 173-B:8, 173-B:9, 173-B:10, 461-A:9, 458:16, 633:3-a, 651:5