This bill establishes mandatory reporting requirements for certain individuals regarding civil rights violations committed by members of the judicial branch in New Hampshire. It amends RSA 643 by adding a new section, 643:3, which designates state employees, bar association members, attorneys, and other individuals working with or funded by the state as mandatory reporters. These individuals are required to report any reasonable suspicion of civil rights violations or breaches of the New Hampshire code of judicial conduct to the attorney general's office. The bill also outlines the process for reporting and mandates that the attorney general's office forward these reports to relevant judicial authorities.
Additionally, the bill imposes penalties for non-compliance, classifying failure to report as a misdemeanor, which carries a fine of $1,500 and potential incarceration for one week. However, it protects those who make good faith reports from retaliation. The act is set to take effect on January 1, 2027, and while it does not project any revenue impact, it indicates that there may be indeterminable expenditures associated with its implementation, potentially affecting the judicial and correctional systems.