This bill introduces a new provision to the existing law regarding loitering or prowling, specifically targeting registered offenders who are classified as tier II or tier III due to sexual offenses against children under 13 years of age. The new legal language, inserted as paragraph I-a in RSA 644:6, states that such offenders commit a violation if they knowingly appear within 1,000 feet of designated locations, including childcare facilities, churches, schools, and areas where minors are likely to congregate, under circumstances that could cause alarm for the safety of individuals nearby.

The bill is set to take effect on January 1, 2027, and aims to enhance public safety by restricting the proximity of certain offenders to places frequented by children. The fiscal impact of the bill is indeterminable, as it may affect the judicial and correctional systems, potentially influencing costs related to prosecution, incarceration, probation, and parole for the state and local governments. No specific revenue changes are anticipated, and the bill does not authorize any new funding.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 644:6
HB1239 text: 644:6