This bill establishes sexual assault protective orders 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 can grant necessary relief to protect the victim's physical, psychological, or emotional well-being, with procedures and penalties for violations mirroring those in RSA 173-B. The bill also clarifies that the minority of a plaintiff or defendant does not prevent the issuance of protective orders and outlines the duration and extension process for these orders. Additionally, it allows law enforcement to arrest individuals suspected of violating these orders without a warrant within 12 hours of the offense.

Furthermore, the bill amends RSA 21-M:18, I(b) to enhance the rights of sexual assault survivors, specifically by extending the preservation period for sexual assault evidence collection kits from a shorter duration to a longer one, and by ensuring survivors are informed about the status and location of these kits. The bill also includes provisions for penalties, categorizing violations of protective orders as a class A misdemeanor, with subsequent offenses escalating to a class B felony. The act is set to take effect on January 1, 2027.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 21-M:18
As Amended by the House: 21-M:18
As Amended by the Senate: 21-M:18
HB1651 text: 21-M:18