HB 1236-FN (2026): relative to the use of body-worn cameras in county departments of corrections.

HB 1236-FN (2026)

relative to the use of body-worn cameras in county departments of corrections.

• Status: Signed into law
• Term: 2025-2026
• House committee: Criminal Justice and Public Safety
• Senate committee: Judiciary
• Subject: Crimes, Criminal Procedure and Corrections
• Chapter law: 219

The Story

It was introduced on January 7, 2026 and referred to the House Criminal Justice and Public Safety committee. The committee held a public hearing on January 29, 2026, with 89 people signed in online: 87 in support and 2 in opposition. The committee met in executive session on January 29, 2026 to vote on its recommendation. The committee voted 11–2 to recommend that the House pass it, and the report was placed on the consent calendar. On March 5, 2026 the House voted to pass it on a voice vote. It crossed to the Senate on March 5, 2026 and was referred to the Senate Judiciary committee. The committee held a public hearing on April 2, 2026. The committee held a public hearing on April 7, 2026 on a proposed non-germane amendment (2026-1224s). The committee voted unanimously, 5–0, to recommend that the Senate pass it with changes (amendment 2026-1768s), and the report was placed on the consent calendar. The committee's amendment (2026-1768s) was adopted on a voice vote on May 7, 2026, changing the text of the bill. On May 7, 2026 the Senate voted to pass it with changes on a voice vote and ordered it to a third reading. On May 21, 2026 the House adopted “House Concurs with Senate Amendment 2026-1768s” on a division vote 191–154, on a motion by Rep. Terry Roy. The bill was enrolled on June 4, 2026 — the final check of the text before it goes to the governor. The governor signed it on July 2, 2026, making it Chapter 219 of the session laws.

Sponsors

• Rep. Buzz Scherr (D - Rock 26) (prime sponsor)

Hearings and Sessions

• January 29, 2026, 12:30 PM: public hearing, House Criminal Justice and Public Safety, GP 159
• January 29, 2026, 12:30 PM: executive session, House Criminal Justice and Public Safety, GP 159
• March 5, 2026: consent calendar, House
• April 2, 2026, 1:10 PM: hearing, Senate Judiciary, SH 100
• April 7, 2026, 1:15 PM: hearing, Senate Judiciary, SH 100
• May 7, 2026: consent calendar, Senate
• May 21, 2026: floor debate, House

Votes

• March 5, 2026, House: Ought to Pass — voice vote, passed
• May 7, 2026, Senate: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-1768s — voice vote, passed
• May 21, 2026, House: House Concurs with Senate Amendment 2026-1768s — yeas 191, nays 154, passed

The Docket

Laws It Would Change

• RSA 30-B:1

From the General Court

• Bill text
• Bill status page
• Docket
• HJ 1, page 11
• HC 9, page 5
• HJ 6, page 5
• SJ 6
• SC 12
• SC 13
• SC 17
• SJ 11
• HJ 14, page 2
• SJ 14
• HJ 15, page 52