HB 1730-FN (2026): enhancing the level of offense for certain sexual offenses.

HB 1730-FN (2026)

enhancing the level of offense for certain sexual offenses.

• 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: 97

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 15, 2026, with 597 people signed in online: 3 in support and 594 in opposition. The committee met in executive session on February 4, 2026 to vote on its recommendation. The committee voted unanimously, 13–0, to recommend that the House pass it with changes (amendment 2026-0420h), and the report was placed on the consent calendar. The committee's amendment (2026-0420h) was adopted on a voice vote on February 19, 2026, changing the text of the bill. On February 19, 2026 the House voted to pass it with changes on a voice vote. On February 19, 2026 the bill was referred to the Finance committee, whose chair waived the referral under House Rule 47(f). It crossed to the Senate on February 19, 2026 and was referred to the Senate Judiciary committee. The committee held a public hearing on March 19, 2026. The committee voted unanimously, 5–0, to recommend that the Senate pass it, and the report was placed on the consent calendar. On April 9, 2026 the Senate voted to pass it on a voice vote and ordered it to a third reading. The bill was enrolled on May 14, 2026 — the final check of the text before it goes to the governor. The governor signed it on May 28, 2026, making it Chapter 97 of the session laws.

Sponsors

• Rep. Joe Sweeney (R - Rock 25) (prime sponsor)
• Rep. Joe Alexander (R - Hills 29)
• Rep. Ross Berry (R - Hills 44)

Hearings and Sessions

• January 15, 2026, 10:00 AM: public hearing, House Criminal Justice and Public Safety, GP 159
• February 4, 2026, 10:00 AM: executive session, House Criminal Justice and Public Safety, GP 159
• February 19, 2026: floor debate, House
• March 19, 2026, 1:20 PM: hearing, Senate Judiciary, SH 100
• April 9, 2026: consent calendar, Senate

Votes

• February 19, 2026, House: Ought to Pass with Amendment 2026-0420h — voice vote, passed
• April 9, 2026, Senate: Ought to Pass — voice vote, passed

The Docket

Laws It Would Change

• RSA 632-A:2
• RSA 632-A:3
• RSA 651-B:1
• RSA 632-A:4

From the General Court

• Bill text
• Bill status page
• Docket
• HJ 1, page 33
• HC 7, page 8
• HJ 5, pages 10, 39 and 112
• SJ 5
• SC 10
• SC 13
• SJ 8
• SJ 13
• HJ 13, page 147