Revision: Nov. 24, 2025, 9:22 a.m.
SB 556-FN - AS INTRODUCED
2026 SESSION
26-2142
08/09
SENATE BILL 556-FN
SPONSORS: Sen. Murphy, Dist 16; Sen. Lang, Dist 2; Sen. Pearl, Dist 17; Sen. Innis, Dist 7; Sen. Birdsell, Dist 19; Sen. Abbas, Dist 22
COMMITTEE: Judiciary
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ANALYSIS
This bill includes syringes and similar medical devices in the definition of special waste for purposes of solid waste management and makes improper disposal of such a felony.
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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Matter which is either (a) all new or (b) repealed and reenacted appears in regular type.
26-2142
08/09
STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE
In the Year of Our Lord Two Thousand Twenty-Six
Be it Enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court convened:
1 Special Waste; Syringes and Medical Waste Included. Amend RSA 149-M:4, XXV to read as follows:
XXV. "Special waste" means any matter consisting of medical or infectious wastes including used and unused syringes and similar medical devices that may or may not be contaminated from bodily fluids.
2 New Paragraph; Penalties for Improper Disposal of Special Waste. Amend RSA 149-M:15 by inserting after paragraph VIII the following new paragraph:
IX. Notwithstanding the other provisions of this section, improper disposal of special waste shall be a class B felony if a natural person or a felony if any other person.
3 Effective Date. This act shall take effect January 1, 2027.
26-2142
11/18/25
SB 556-FN- FISCAL NOTE
AS INTRODUCED
FISCAL IMPACT:
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Estimated State Impact | ||||||
| FY 2026 | FY 2027 | FY 2028 | FY 2029 | ||
Revenue | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | ||
Revenue Fund | None | |||||
Expenditures* | Indeterminable | |||||
Funding Source | General Fund | |||||
Appropriations* | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | ||
Funding Source | None | |||||
*Expenditure = Cost of bill *Appropriation = Authorized funding to cover cost of bill | ||||||
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Estimated Political Subdivision Impact | ||||||
| FY 2026 | FY 2027 | FY 2028 | FY 2029 | ||
County Revenue | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | ||
County Expenditures | Indeterminable | |||||
Local Revenue | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | ||
Local Expenditures | Indeterminable | |||||
METHODOLOGY:
This bill adds, deletes, or modifies a criminal penalty, or changes statute to which there is a penalty for violation. Therefore, this bill may have an impact on the judicial and correctional systems, which could affect prosecution, incarceration, probation, and parole costs, for the state, as well as county and local governments. A summary of such costs can be found at: https://gencourt.state.nh.us/lba/Budget/Fiscal_Notes/JudicialCorrectionalCosts.pdf
AGENCIES CONTACTED:
Judicial Branch, Judicial Council, Department of Justice, Department of Corrections, New Hampshire Association of Counties, and New Hampshire Municipal Association