This bill introduces a new provision to the existing law regarding loitering or prowling, specifically targeting registered offenders who are classified as tier II or tier III due to sexual offenses against children under 13 years of age. The new legal language, inserted as paragraph I-a in RSA 644:6, states that such offenders commit a violation if they knowingly appear within 1,000 feet of designated locations, including childcare facilities, churches, schools, and areas where minors are likely to congregate, under circumstances that could cause alarm for the safety of individuals nearby.

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 bill does not anticipate generating revenue but may influence costs related to prosecution, incarceration, probation, and parole due to the changes in criminal penalties. The request for this legislation comes from the Department of Safety, highlighting the importance of protecting children from potential harm by restricting the proximity of certain offenders to places frequented by minors.

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