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CHAPTER 143
SB 619-FN - FINAL VERSION
03/05/2026 0848s
23Apr2026... 1347h
2026 SESSION
26-2164
08/06
SENATE BILL
619-FN
AN ACT
establishing procedures for expedited court hearings and disposition of confiscated animals.
SPONSORS: Sen. Abbas, Dist 22; Sen. Avard, Dist 12; Sen. Sullivan, Dist 18; Sen. McGough, Dist 11; Sen. Watters, Dist 4; Sen. Murphy, Dist 16; Sen. Innis, Dist 7; Sen. Birdsell, Dist 19; Rep. Alexander Jr., Hills. 29; Rep. C. Harvey, Ches. 6
COMMITTEE: Judiciary
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ANALYSIS
This bill establishes procedures for expedited court hearings and disposition of animals confiscated due to allegations of animal cruelty.
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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Matter which is either (a) all new or (b) repealed and reenacted appears in regular type.
03/05/2026 0848s
23Apr2026... 1347h 26-2164
08/06
STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE
In the Year of Our Lord Two Thousand Twenty-Six
AN ACT
establishing procedures for expedited court hearings and disposition of confiscated animals.
Be it Enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court convened:
143:1 Cruelty to Animals; Court Hearing Upon Confiscation of Animals. Amend RSA 644:8, IV(a)(3) to read as follows:
(3) Courts shall give cases in which animals have been confiscated by an arresting officer priority on the court calendar. In cases in which animals have been confiscated by an arresting officer or his or her agency, a status hearing shall be held by the court within 14 days of the confiscation of the animals.
(A) A purpose of the hearing shall be to determine whether the confiscation of the animal or animals was lawful in accordance with paragraph IV-a. Upon such a showing, the court may make a determination of temporary custody that is in the best interest of the animal's health, safety, and wellbeing. If the confiscated animal is co-owned by the defendant, the court may transfer the custody of the animal to the remaining owner or co-owners equitably if the court determines that such is in the best interest of the animal's health, safety, and wellbeing. The court may also address any other matters before it as raised by either party or if it is in the interests of justice. Upon request from either party or by order of the court, this hearing may include the defendant's arraignment. Waiver of the arraignment by the defendant shall not waive the 14 day hearing set forth in this paragraph.
(B) If the accused fails to appear in court without giving prior notice within 3 days of the hearing date, or, if less than 3 days notice, without evidence of emergent circumstances, the hearing shall take place as scheduled and the court may rule on any matters before it.
143:2 Effective Date. This act shall take effect January 1, 2027.
Approved: June 12, 2026
Effective Date: January 01, 2027