HB 504 – AS INTRODUCED
2013 SESSION
04/09
HOUSE BILL 504
AN ACT relative to official oppression.
SPONSORS: Rep. Itse, Rock 10; Rep. Comerford, Rock 33
COMMITTEE: Criminal Justice and Public Safety
This bill revises the offense of official oppression by making it either a class B misdemeanor or a violation, depending on whether a public servant acted with a purpose to benefit oneself or another or to harm another.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Explanation: Matter added to current law appears in bold italics.
Matter removed from current law appears [in brackets and struckthrough.]
Matter which is either (a) all new or (b) repealed and reenacted appears in regular type.
13-0160
04/09
STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE
In the Year of Our Lord Two Thousand Thirteen
AN ACT relative to official oppression.
Be it Enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court convened:
1 Intent. The intent of the official oppression statute is to empower citizens to hold public servants accountable in their delegated duties pursuant to the Constitution of New Hampshire, part I, articles 8 and 10.
2 Official Oppression. Amend RSA 643:1 to read as follows:
643:1 Official Oppression.
I. A public servant, as defined in RSA 640:2, II, is guilty of a misdemeanor if, with a purpose to benefit [himself] oneself or another or to harm another, he or she knowingly commits an unauthorized act which purports to be an act of his or her office; or knowingly refrains from performing a duty imposed on him or her by law or clearly inherent in the nature of his or her office.
II. A public servant, as defined in RSA 640:2, II, is guilty of a violation if, without a purpose to benefit oneself or another or to harm another, he or she knowingly commits an unauthorized act which purports to be an act of his or her office; or knowingly refrains from performing a duty imposed upon him or her by law. A complaint under this paragraph may be filed in the circuit court with jurisdiction over the municipality in which the offense occurs.
3 Effective Date. This act shall take effect January 1, 2014.