This bill establishes a new legal framework that prohibits tier III registered offenders from being present in designated child safety zones, which include locations such as schools, licensed childcare facilities, public parks, and school bus stops. Specifically, the bill inserts a new section into RSA 651-B, stating that these offenders cannot knowingly go within 500 feet of these zones, with the distance measured in a straight line from the outer property boundary. A violation of this provision is classified as a class B felony.

Additionally, the bill provides an affirmative defense for offenders who can demonstrate that their presence in a child safety zone was for a legitimate purpose, such as transporting their own child, participating in constitutionally protected activities, or traveling directly to or from their residence or place of employment established prior to the bill's effective date. The bill also includes provisions that establish prima facie evidence of knowledge of these prohibitions if the offender has received written notice during registration or if the zones are clearly marked. The act is set to take effect on January 1, 2027.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 644:6
SB460 text: 644:6