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HB1061 • 2026

establishing a commission to study alternatives to incarceration for nonviolent offenders who are primary caregivers.

establishing a commission to study alternatives to incarceration for nonviolent offenders who are primary caregivers.

Passed Legislature

This bill passed both chambers and reached final enrollment, even if later executive action is not shown here.

Sponsor
Alissandra Murray (D), Jodi Newell (D), Linda Harriott-Gathright (D), David Meuse (D)
Last action
2026-03-12
Official status
HOUSE
Effective date
Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

Using official source text because the generated explanation was unavailable or could not be confirmed against the official bill text.

establishing a commission to study alternatives to incarceration for nonviolent offenders who are primary caregivers.

establishing a commission to study alternatives to incarceration for nonviolent offenders who are primary caregivers.

What This Bill Does

  • establishing a commission to study alternatives to incarceration for nonviolent offenders who are primary caregivers.

Limits and Unknowns

  • This entry is temporarily using official source text because the generated explanation could not be confirmed against the official bill text during the last sync.

Bill History

  1. 2026-03-12 H

    Special Order to next order of business (Rep. A. Murray): MA DV 295-39 03/11/2026 HJ 7 P. 92

  2. 2026-03-12 H

    Lay HB1061 on Table (Rep. Weber): MF DV 133-201 03/11/2026 HJ 7 P. 92

  3. 2026-03-12 H

    Indefinitely Postpone (Rep. Sweeney): MA RC 188-149 03/12/2026 HJ 7 P. 92

  4. 2026-02-24 H

    Executive Session: 02/11/2026 01:30 pm GP 159

  5. 2026-02-24 H

    Majority Committee Report: Inexpedient to Legislate 02/11/2026 (Vote 7-6; RC) HC 10 P. 79

  6. 2026-02-24 H

    Minority Committee Report: Ought to Pass

  7. 2026-01-21 H

    Public Hearing: 01/28/2026 01:30 pm GP 159

  8. 2025-11-12 H

    Introduced 01/07/2026 and referred to Criminal Justice and Public Safety HJ 1 P. 4

Official Summary Text

establishing a commission to study alternatives to incarceration for nonviolent offenders who are primary caregivers.

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text 
HB 1061 - AS INTRODUCED

2026 SESSION
26-3086.0
09/06

HOUSE BILL
1061

AN ACT
establishing a commission to study alternatives to incarceration for nonviolent offenders who are primary caregivers.

SPONSORS: Rep. A. Murray, Hills. 20; Rep. Meuse, Rock. 37; Rep. Newell, Ches. 4; Rep. Harriott-Gathright, Hills. 10

COMMITTEE: Criminal Justice and Public Safety

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ANALYSIS

This bill establishes a commission to study alternatives to incarceration for nonviolent offenders who are primary caregivers.

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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.
26-3086.0
09/06

STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE

In the Year of Our Lord Two Thousand Twenty-Six

AN ACT
establishing a commission to study alternatives to incarceration for nonviolent offenders who are primary caregivers.

Be it Enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court convened:

1 Legislative Findings. The general court finds that incarceration of nonviolent offenders who are primary caregivers of dependent children or other dependents can have significant negative consequences on families, particularly children. This act establishes a commission to study the feasibility of allowing such offenders to serve their sentences in home-based or community-based alternatives to incarceration.

2 New Section; Commission to Study Alternatives to Incarceration for Nonviolent Offenders Who Are Primary Caregivers. Amend RSA 651 by inserting after section 25 the following new section:
651:25-a Commission to Study Alternatives to Incarceration for Nonviolent Offenders Who Are Primary Caregivers.
I. There is hereby established a commission to study alternatives to incarceration for nonviolent offenders who are primary caregivers.
II. Notwithstanding RSA 14:49, the members of the commission shall be as follows:
(a) Two members of the house of representatives, appointed by the speaker of the house, one of whom shall be from the criminal justice and public safety committee.
(b) One member of the senate, appointed by the president of the senate.
(c) The commissioner of the department of corrections, or designee.
(d) The commissioner of the department of health and human services, or designee.
(e) One representative from a nonprofit organization focused on criminal justice reform, appointed by the governor.
(f) One representative from a nonprofit organization focused on child welfare or family support, appointed by the governor.
(g) One formerly incarcerated individual who was a primary caregiver during their period of incarceration, appointed by the governor.
(h) One academician or researcher with expertise in criminal justice, family studies, or social work, appointed by the governor.
III. Legislative members of the commission shall receive mileage at the legislative rate when attending to the duties of the commission.
IV. The commission shall:
(a) Study current sentencing practices and their impact on children and dependents of incarcerated individuals in New Hampshire.
(b) Identify potential alternatives to incarceration for nonviolent offenders who are primary caregivers, including home confinement, community supervision, restorative justice programs, and treatment-based approaches.
(c) Examine models used in other states or jurisdictions.
(d) Evaluate the public safety, economic, and social implications of such alternatives.
(e) Make recommendations for legislative or administrative action to implement and expand such alternatives in New Hampshire.
V.
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The members of the study commission shall elect a chairperson from among the members.
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The first meeting of the commission shall be called by the first-named house member.
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The first meeting of the commission shall be held within 45 days of the effective date of this section.
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A simple majority of the members shall constitute a quorum.
VI. The commission shall submit a report of its findings and recommendations, together with any proposed legislation, to the speaker of the house of representatives, the president of the senate, the governor, and the state library on or before November 1, 2026.

3 Prospective Repeal. RSA 651:25-a, relative to the commission to study alternatives to incarceration for nonviolent offenders who are primary caregivers, is repealed.

4 Effective Date.
I. Section 3 of this act shall take effect November 30, 2026.
II. The remainder of this act shall take effect upon its passage.