170:1 Probationers and Parolees; Qualification and Certification of Probation-Parole Officers. Amend RSA 504-A:12-a to read as follows:

504-A:12-a Qualification and Certification of Probation-Parole Officers. Every probation-parole officer shall meet the educational and training standards for employment as a probation-parole officer as established by the police standards and training council under RSA 106-L:6, and shall be certified by the council as being qualified to be a probation-parole officer.

170:2 Uniform Act on Status of Convicted Persons; Rights Lost. Amend RSA 607-A:2, I to read as follows:

I. A person sentenced for a felony, from the time of his or her sentence until his or her final discharge, may not:

(a) Vote in an election, but if execution of sentence is suspended with or without the defendant being placed on probation or he or she is paroled after commitment to imprisonment, he or she may vote during the period of the suspension or parole; or

(b) Seek the nomination of a political party or become a candidate for or hold public office.

170:3 Department of Corrections; Commissioner's Inquiry Regarding Information Disseminated by Probation-Parole Officers. Upon the effective date of this section, the commissioner of the department of corrections shall initiate an inquiry into the information and advice disseminated by certified probation-parole officers employed by the department to an individual who has been convicted of a felony who has attained final discharge of his or her sentence relating to the rights of such individual pursuant to RSA 607-A. The commissioner shall ensure that all department personnel, including probation-parole officers, are properly educated on the current status of state and federal law governing the rights retained and the rights lost by an individual convicted of a felony who has attained final discharge of his or her sentence. The commissioner may seek the advice and assistance of other department personnel as the commissioner deems necessary.

170:4 Effective Date. This act shall take effect 60 days after its passage.

Approved: July 10, 2019

Effective Date: September 08, 2019

170:1 Probationers and Parolees; Qualification and Certification of Probation-Parole Officers. Amend RSA 504-A:12-a to read as follows:

504-A:12-a Qualification and Certification of Probation-Parole Officers. Every probation-parole officer shall meet the educational and training standards for employment as a probation-parole officer as established by the police standards and training council under RSA 106-L:6, and shall be certified by the council as being qualified to be a probation-parole officer. The educational standards for training as a probation-parole officer shall include instruction concerning the rights lost and rights retained pursuant toRSA 607-A by an individual convicted of a felony.

170:2 Uniform Act on Status of Convicted Persons; Rights Lost. Amend RSA 607-A:2, I to read as follows:

I. (a) A person sentenced for a felony, from the time of his or her sentence until his or her final discharge, may not:

(1) Vote in an election, but if execution of sentence is suspended with or without the defendant being placed on probation or he or she is paroled after commitment to imprisonment, the correctional facility shall provide the offender written notice that he or she may vote during the period of the suspension or parole; or

(2) Seek the nomination of a political party or become a candidate for or hold public office.

(b) In this paragraph, "final discharge" means the release of a prisoner from incarceration. A person who is on probation or parole shall be considered to be finally discharged for the purpose of this section.

170:3 Department of Corrections; Commissioner's Inquiry Regarding Information Disseminated by Probation-Parole Officers. Upon the effective date of this section, the commissioner of the department of corrections shall initiate an inquiry into the information and advice disseminated by certified probation-parole officers employed by the department to an individual who has been convicted of a felony who has attained final discharge of his or her sentence relating to the rights of such individual pursuant to RSA 607-A. The commissioner shall ensure that all department personnel, including probation-parole officers, are properly educated on the current status of state and federal law governing the rights retained and the rights lost by an individual convicted of a felony who has attained final discharge of his or her sentence. The commissioner may seek the advice and assistance of other department personnel as the commissioner deems necessary.

170:4 Effective Date. This act shall take effect 60 days after its passage.

Approved: July 10, 2019

Effective Date: September 08, 2019