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SB 463-FN - AS INTRODUCED
2026 SESSION
26-2246
12/09
SENATE BILL
463-FN
AN ACT
relative to possession of firearms in safe school zones.
SPONSORS: Sen. Fenton, Dist 10; Sen. Long, Dist 20; Sen. Rosenwald, Dist 13; Sen. Perkins Kwoka, Dist 21; Sen. Altschiller, Dist 24; Sen. Prentiss, Dist 5; Rep. Meuse, Rock. 37
COMMITTEE: Judiciary
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ANALYSIS
This bill prohibits carrying a firearm in a safe school zone.
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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Matter which is either (a) all new or (b) repealed and reenacted appears in regular type.
26-2246
12/09
STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE
In the Year of Our Lord Two Thousand Twenty-Six
AN ACT
relative to possession of firearms in safe school zones.
Be it Enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court convened:
1 New Section; Possession of Firearms in a Safe School Zone. Amend RSA 159 by inserting after section 19-a the following new section:
159:19-b Possession of a Firearm in a Safe School Zone.
I. No person shall knowingly carry a firearm, as defined in RSA 173-B:1, XI, in a safe school zone, as defined in RSA 193-D:1, II. Any person who violates the provisions of this paragraph shall be guilty of a class A misdemeanor.
II. This section shall not apply to:
(a) Any person picking up or dropping off a student, provided the firearm remains in a motor vehicle, is not loaded, and is in either a locked container or a locked firearms rack.
(b) Any person authorized in writing by the school board or duly authorized designee to possess a firearm. Such authorization shall specify the weapon or weapons that have been authorized, the purpose and scope of the authorization, and the time period for which the authorization applies.
(c) Any duly appointed law enforcement officer, properly trained school resource officer, or member of the armed services of the United States or National Guard when on duty.
2 Effective Date. This act shall take effect upon its passage.
LBA
26-2246
10/2/25
SB 463-FN- FISCAL NOTE
AS INTRODUCED
AN ACT
relative to possession of firearms in safe school zones.
FISCAL IMPACT:
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
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