This bill amends the current law regarding false reports to law enforcement by increasing the penalty for such offenses from a misdemeanor to a class A misdemeanor. Specifically, it modifies RSA 641:4 to state that a person is guilty of a class A misdemeanor if they knowingly provide false information to law enforcement officers with the intent to mislead them about an offense or if they report a non-existent offense or danger, while being aware that they lack any relevant information. The language of the bill also includes the insertion of gender-neutral terms, changing "he" to "he or she" in the relevant sections.

The bill is set to take effect 60 days after its passage and is expected to have indeterminable fiscal impacts on state and local expenditures due to potential changes in the judicial and correctional systems. While the estimated revenue impact is projected to be zero, the costs associated with prosecution, incarceration, probation, and parole may increase as a result of the enhanced penalties. The bill has been reviewed by various agencies, including the Judicial Branch and the Department of Justice, to assess its implications.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 641:4
As Amended by the Senate: 641:4