This bill establishes felony-level offenses for assaults against firefighters, emergency medical care providers, and law enforcement officers, specifically targeting those who assault law enforcement officers. It amends the Criminal Code by adding new subparagraphs to RSA 631:1 and RSA 631:2, which define first and second-degree assaults that result in serious bodily injury or bodily injury to these professionals while they are acting in the line of duty. The bill also specifies that assaults against law enforcement officers can be prosecuted regardless of whether the officer is on duty, particularly if the assault is motivated by the officer's employment.

Additionally, the bill modifies RSA 651:6 to allow for an extended term of imprisonment for individuals who knowingly commit crimes against these professionals, with specific exclusions for certain offenses. It also makes minor amendments to existing definitions in RSA 631:1 and RSA 631:2 by deleting references to serious bodily injury to persons under 13 years of age and the strangulation of another, while inserting new language to clarify the definitions of the offenses. The act is set to take effect 60 days after its passage, on July 21, 2026.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 631:1, 631:2, 651:6
As Amended by the Senate: 631:1, 631:2, 651:6
Version adopted by both bodies: 631:1, 631:2, 651:6
CHAPTERED FINAL VERSION: 631:1, 631:2, 651:6