This bill proposes to amend the criminal threatening statute by making it a class B felony to violate certain provisions while using what appears to the victim to be a deadly weapon. Specifically, it modifies RSA 631:4, II(a)(2) to include the language that a person can be charged if they "use a deadly weapon" or "use what reasonably appeared to the victim to be a deadly weapon." This change aims to enhance the legal consequences for individuals who threaten others while brandishing objects that could be perceived as deadly weapons, thereby addressing concerns raised by county attorneys.

The bill is set to take effect on January 1, 2027, and is expected to have indeterminable fiscal impacts on state and local governments, particularly concerning judicial and correctional systems. The estimated costs associated with prosecution, incarceration, probation, and parole may increase due to the new felony classification. However, specific revenue and expenditure impacts for the state and counties remain unclear, as indicated in the fiscal note accompanying the bill.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 631:4
HB1240 text: 631:4