This bill establishes sexual assault orders of protection and enhances the rights of sexual assault survivors. It introduces a new section, RSA 632-A:5-a, allowing individuals to file civil petitions in circuit court for protective orders if they can demonstrate they have been victims of sexual assault. The court is required to grant necessary relief to protect the victim's physical, psychological, or emotional well-being, with procedures and penalties aligned with existing laws. The bill also specifies that the minority status of a plaintiff or defendant does not prevent the issuance of protective orders and outlines the duration and renewal process for these orders. Additionally, it allows law enforcement to arrest individuals suspected of violating these orders without a warrant within a specified timeframe.

Furthermore, the bill amends RSA 21-M:18, I(b) to enhance the rights of sexual assault survivors regarding the preservation and information related to sexual assault evidence collection kits. It extends the preservation period from the shorter of the maximum statute of limitations or 20 years to the longer of the two. The amendments also require that survivors be informed of the status and location of their evidence collection kits, in addition to the existing rights to be informed of results and policies governing the kits. The act is set to take effect on January 1, 2027.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 21-M:18
HB1651 text: 21-M:18