This bill aims to eliminate the use of a victim's actual or perceived gender, gender identity, gender expression, or sexual orientation as a defense in manslaughter cases. Specifically, it amends the existing law to clarify that such characteristics of a victim cannot be considered as provocation that would reduce a charge of murder to manslaughter. The bill modifies the language in the introductory paragraph of RSA 630:2, I, replacing the word "he" with "such person" to make the language gender-neutral.

Additionally, the bill introduces a new paragraph (IV) to RSA 630:2, which explicitly states that a victim's sexual orientation, gender identification, or gender expression, including situations where the victim made a nonforcible romantic or sexual advance towards the defendant, does not constitute extreme provocation that would justify a manslaughter charge. The act is approved on August 8, 2023, and is set to take effect on January 1, 2024.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 630:2
As Amended by the House: 630:2
As Amended by the Senate: 630:2
Version adopted by both bodies: 630:2
CHAPTERED FINAL VERSION: 630:2