Revision: Jan. 22, 2025, 5:43 p.m.
SB 145-FN - AS INTRODUCED
2025 SESSION
25-1120
11/09
SENATE BILL 145-FN
SPONSORS: Sen. Altschiller, Dist 24
COMMITTEE: Judiciary
-----------------------------------------------------------------
ANALYSIS
This bill enables the department of safety to develop a mobile evidence collection pilot program.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
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Matter which is either (a) all new or (b) repealed and reenacted appears in regular type.
25-1120
11/09
STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE
In the Year of Our Lord Two Thousand Twenty Five
Be it Enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court convened:
1 Findings and Purpose. The general court finds:
I. The state of New Hampshire has effectively worked to reduce the backlog of sexual assault evidence collection kits by ensuring that evidence is analyzed in a timely manner. The state has implemented a kit tracking system that allows the department of justice and the state forensic laboratory to monitor the location and chain of custody as that evidence moves through the system for analysis.
II. One in 4 women and one in 20 men experience sexual violence in New Hampshire, with nearly half of all reported sexual assaults occurring before the victim is 18. On average, 25 kits are collected in New Hampshire each month, which equates to 300 kits annually. It can take years before a sexual assault case is resolved through the criminal justice system.
III. Recognizing the critical work that has been done, the state can expand its efforts to further reduce the time it takes for sexual assault evidence to move from a law enforcement agency to the state forensic laboratory by establishing a mobile forensic evidence collection pilot program.
2 New Section; Mobile Evidence Collection Pilot Program. Amend RSA 21-M by inserting after section 19 the following new section:
21-M:20 Mobile Evidence Collection Pilot Program.
I. The department of safety may develop a mobile evidence collection pilot program to alleviate long waiting periods for evidence to be safely delivered to the state laboratory, where it can be properly stored pending analysis. A special emphasis shall be placed on supporting law enforcement in rural communities where resources are limited.
II. In this program, all evidence collected in a sexual assault case shall be scheduled for pickup from the hospital within 10 days of collection and picked up by the mobile unit no later than 20 days after collection.
III. The department of safety shall adopt rules under to 541-A for the design, administration, and reporting requirements of the program.
3 Appropriation. The sum of $200,000 for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2026, and the sum of $200,000 for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2027, shall be appropriated from the general fund to the department of safety for the purpose of funding the mobile evidence collection pilot program at the state forensic laboratory, with yearly expenditures to include $140,000 for the purpose of transitioning 2 part-time staff positions to 2 full-time staff positions to manage the program and $20,000 for the purpose of purchasing refrigerated lock-boxes and other equipment for existing transport vehicles. The governor is authorized to draw a warrant for any general fund sum out of any money in the treasury not otherwise appropriated.
4 Effective Date. This act shall take effect July 1, 2025.
25-1120
1/15/25
SB 145-FN- FISCAL NOTE
AS INTRODUCED
FISCAL IMPACT:
|
| |||||
Estimated State Impact | ||||||
| FY 2025 | FY 2026 | FY 2027 | FY 2028 | ||
Revenue | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | ||
Revenue Fund(s) | None | |||||
Expenditures* | $0 | $175,000 - $300,000 Per Year | ||||
Funding Source(s) | General Fund | |||||
Appropriations* | $0 | $200,000 | $200,000 | $0 | ||
Funding Source(s) | General Fund | |||||
*Expenditure = Cost of bill *Appropriation = Authorized funding to cover cost of bill | ||||||
METHODOLOGY:
This bill enables the Department of Safety to develop a mobile evidence collection unit pilot program and provides $200,000 in general funds for each FY 2026 and FY 2027. Of this appropriation, the bill annually allocates $140,000 to transition two (2) part-time positions to full-time to manage the program and $20,000 for refrigerated lock-boxes and other equipment. It is assumed the remaining $40,000 per year would be spent at the agency’s discretion. The Department states total costs to implement this program may range from $175,000 to $300,000 per year, as there are various cost items (e.g., overtime, vehicle fuel, vehicle maintenance, laptops, bar code scanners, printers, portable Wi-Fi hotspots, etc…) that are unknown at this time.
AGENCIES CONTACTED:
Department of Safety