1 Definitions; Confidential Communications Between Victims and Counselors. Amend RSA 173-C:1, V to read as follows:

V. "Sexual assault counselor" means

Any person who is employed or appointed or who volunteers in a rape crisis center who renders support, counseling, or assistance to victims of sexual assault or attempted sexual assault, who has satisfactorily completed 30 hours of training in a bona fide program which has been developed by a rape crisis center as defined in RSA 173-C:1, IV.

2 Effective Date. This act shall take effect July 1, 2026.

1 Definitions; Confidential Communications Between Victims and Counselors. Amend RSA 173-C:1, V to read as follows:

V. "Sexual assault counselor" means :

(a) Any person who is employed or appointed or who volunteers in a rape crisis center who renders support, counseling, or assistance to victims of sexual assault or attempted sexual assault, who has satisfactorily completed 30 hours of training in a bona fide program which has been developed by a rape crisis center as defined in RSA 173-C:1, IV. ; or

(b) Sexual assault prevention response (SAPR) military and civilian personnel, including, but not limited to, the principal sexual assault response coordinator, sexual assault response coordinators, and victim advocates, who render or have rendered support, or assistance to victims of sexual assault or attempted sexual assault, and are certified by the department of defense sexual assault advocate certification program or who were certified by the department of defense sexual assault advocate certification program at the time of the support or assistance.

2 Effective Date. This act shall take effect July 1, 2026.