HB 596-FN (2024): prohibiting the use of racial profiling in law enforcement activities and in sentencing.

HB 596-FN (2024)

prohibiting the use of racial profiling in law enforcement activities and in sentencing.

• Status: Signed into law
• Term: 2023-2024
• House committee: Criminal Justice and Public Safety
• Senate committee: Judiciary
• Subject: Crimes, Criminal Procedure and Corrections
• Chapter law: 320

The Story

It was introduced on January 5, 2023 and referred to the House Criminal Justice and Public Safety committee. The committee held a public hearing on February 1, 2023. The committee met in executive session on February 17, 2023 to vote on its recommendation. The committee recommended that the House make no recommendation. A floor amendment (2023-0596h) was rejected on a division vote 178–186 on March 16, 2023. On March 16, 2023 the House voted to pass it on a roll call 186–185. On March 16, 2023 the House failed “Reconsider HB596” on a division vote 185–187, on a motion by Rep. Lucy Weber. It crossed to the Senate on March 16, 2023 and was referred to the Senate Judiciary committee. The committee held a public hearing on April 11, 2023. The committee recommended that the Senate send it back to committee. On May 18, 2023 the Senate voted to send it back to committee. The committee voted unanimously, 5–0, to recommend that the Senate pass it with changes (amendment 2024-0011s). The committee's amendment (2024-0011s) was adopted on a voice vote on January 3, 2024, changing the text of the bill. On January 3, 2024 the Senate voted to pass it with changes on a voice vote, then referred it on to the Senate Finance committee. The committee voted unanimously, 6–0, to recommend that the Senate pass it. A floor amendment (2024-0571s), offered by Sen. James Gray, was adopted on a voice vote on February 15, 2024, changing the text of the bill. On February 15, 2024 the Senate voted to pass it with changes on a voice vote and ordered it to a third reading. On May 30, 2024 the House adopted “House Concurs with Senate Amendment 2024-0571s” on a voice vote, on a motion by Rep. Terry Roy. The bill was enrolled on June 13, 2024 — the final check of the text before it goes to the governor — and an enrolled bill amendment (2024-2338e) was adopted on a voice vote to correct technical errors found after passage. The governor signed it on August 2, 2024, making it Chapter 320 of the session laws.

Sponsors

• Rep. David Meuse (D - Rock 37) (prime sponsor)
• Rep. Charlotte DiLorenzo (D - Rock 10)
• Rep. Joan Hamblet (D - Rock 26)
• Rep. Laura Telerski (D - Hills 11)
• Sen. Rebecca Perkins Kwoka (D - SD21)

Hearings and Sessions

• February 1, 2023, 2:00 PM: public hearing, House Criminal Justice and Public Safety, LOB 202-204
• February 17, 2023, 9:00 AM: executive session, House Criminal Justice and Public Safety, LOB 202-204
• April 11, 2023, 2:00 PM: hearing, Senate Judiciary, SH 100

Votes

• March 16, 2023, House: Adopt Amendment — yeas 178, nays 186, failed
• March 16, 2023, House: Ought to Pass — yeas 186, nays 185, passed
• March 16, 2023, House: Reconsider HB596 — yeas 185, nays 187, failed
• May 18, 2023, Senate: Rereferred — yeas 14, nays 10, passed
• January 3, 2024, Senate: Ought to Pass with Amendment 2024-0011s — voice vote, passed
• February 15, 2024, Senate: Ought to Pass with Amendment 2024-0571s — voice vote, passed
• May 30, 2024, House: House Concurs with Senate Amendment 2024-0571s — voice vote, passed

The Docket

Laws It Would Change

• RSA 651
• RSA 30-B:4

From the General Court

• Bill text
• Bill status page
• Docket
• HC 15, page 11
• SC 17
• SC 22A
• SC 7