[{"_1":2,"_124":-5,"_125":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88,100,112],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6664777,"mediaKeyId","2371469-a68c0d814d47e5b4a160214bb0a3d279","parentId",2371469,"title","Long hearing on SB 290 splits stakeholders over adding a statutory definition of \"torture\" in animal-cruelty law","audioSeconds",1862,"startMs",1853000,"endMs",3715000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2371469-a68c0d814d47e5b4a160214bb0a3d279&start=1853&end=3715","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2371469-a68c0d814d47e5b4a160214bb0a3d279/thumbnail_1853000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6664777/New-Hampshire/Long-hearing-on-SB-290-splits-stakeholders-over-adding-a-statutory-definition-of-torture-in-animal-cruelty-law","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6664777-e63bf3be31f666f0146ae91968f9834e/orig.mp4?Expires=1776763387&Signature=Z~8FKz8TDMEet9wy5G4IQ8VfjmjFR3tybFPigF2xD-JXrmz4msWss5UqElNNPgKgM26dDNKZPMQDx1tBmWSq-Fbxb3zZAuj3ZS04kFuyjrE9ysqaqkGo8g7NjfMc~csYHg8zY9sHLS49uUE8gcZyxnIBzQ~UuJvSLRz31~HXR20a66ru6Pia3wYW8-7lbW15pEkLF-5UIMC0RKqHcE-WfS0qxr4KgQhQXFyp-OUDA12KFDamrLR4I0z8Db3jjsjzB7-o741R77TFy6xGdHrXTLXAX0TqKVGmGc1e~nHXB4DL7OEfnWfbc1IiOaivc9xlXJKibA6FfZEgkSLCKqxRGg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","New Hampshire Legislature","date","2025-02-19T18:53:09.637Z","article","Senator David Waters introduced SB 290, a proposal to add a statutory definition of \"torture\" to RSA 644:8, the state's animal‑cruelty statute. Waters said the governor's commission on prevention of animal cruelty drafted the language after law‑enforcement members told the commission they lacked a workable definition when statutes use the word \"torture.\" He told the committee the proposed definition reads in part: \"torture means negligent or purposeful act or omission that causes intense or prolonged pain or suffering, causes serious physical injury, or causes the death of an animal due to such negligent or purposeful act or omission.\" Waters said the language mirrors definitions adopted in other states.

Waters told the committee the commission recommended the definition to give law enforcement and prosecutors clearer guidance. He pointed to statutory cross‑references that currently use the verb \"torture\" without defining it and said that can complicate charging and enforcement.

Several witnesses testified on both sides. Kurt Ehrenberg, state director of the Humane Society of the United States, said the commission and the governor support establishing a definition and argued that from an animal’s perspective, the distinction between negligent and purposeful harm is secondary to the suffering imposed. \"If you look at it from the animal's perspective, if you're being tortured, it really doesn't matter if the person did it negligently or purposefully,\" he said.

Opponents included Senator Howard Pearl (testifying in his role as a longtime agriculture policymaker), the New Hampshire Farm Bureau, the American Kennel Club and dog‑owner groups. They warned the bill could criminalize common agricultural and animal‑husbandry practices and could expose veterinarians and breeders to criminal prosecution. Stacy Ober of the American Kennel Club told the committee the bill's language \"is a novel and expansive description\" that differs from how New Hampshire law currently distinguishes culpability and said routine veterinarian care or lawful agricultural practices could be at risk. The Farm Bureau highlighted castration, dehorning and other routine livestock procedures as activities that, if evaluated under terms such as \"intensive\" or \"prolonged\" pain, could be misread.

Other witnesses, including breeders and animal-rights advocates, pressed the committee for narrow drafting: several suggested listing specific acts (some urged explicitly listing drowning) or adding explicit exemptions for accepted agricultural and veterinary practices. Joan O’Brien, speaking in support, urged explicitly listing drowning as torture, citing past cases where defendants argued drowning was a form of euthanasia.

The testimony revealed disagreement about whether the statutory term \"torture\" should include negligent conduct. Waters and supporters said the drafting intentionally used \"negligent or purposeful\" to capture prolonged or serious harm whether intended or not; opponents called that inclusion too broad.

No final committee vote on the bill was taken during the hearing. The committee heard extensive testimony and flagged the need to refine statutory language and consider explicit exemptions for lawful husbandry, veterinary practice and agricultural operations.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Senate Judiciary (02/18/2025)","oneSentenceSummary","Senate Bill 290 would add a statutory definition of \"torture\" to New Hampshire's animal‑cruelty law; supporters said a definition would help law enforcement and prosecutors, while farm and breeding groups warned the proposed language could criminalize routine agricultural and veterinary practices.","taxTitle","Senate , Committees\t, Legislative, New Hampshire","taxId",29500,"location","New Hampshire","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6664785,"Sen. Sharon Carson asks committee to re-refer bill creating separate children's services department",602,399000,1001000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2371469-a68c0d814d47e5b4a160214bb0a3d279&start=399&end=1001","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2371469-a68c0d814d47e5b4a160214bb0a3d279/thumbnail_399000.jpg","/articles/6664785/New-Hampshire/Sen-Sharon-Carson-asks-committee-to-re-refer-bill-creating-separate-childrens-services-department","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6664785-af4ac238216b9f63bc462ff433b1336f/orig.mp4?Expires=1776763387&Signature=C6aBuQafAqITuJuL~0sZykQ-lICXhibKhYNebA9Ttuj-587rObLLFsW-h6mTdZqJlb3FunN5jBdxqM4XKnaLvW31UO7gsC9HYlc1QuRGwLfANSdU2PJ3Huy-FBiUQCBb7AB2DewpRUrzzvaXanM0UNwamRXoUqWqr4CfK-7Gpb7Dl4qTv0r3KBjyaF4SJPToNRshP3qRmUSQu4gNzi9tdoEGeCfTvWnpaH~pMJDMFB~KKcENUZ-YlkHol~swydcruHlRfhDYC1ygzdi0Zn3BFKoQ-FJ4NTWTu-HsfbmfdkKF3A9vm6vVI~suXA3sQuWSLp006JlNAN6CFuhaejvJNA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Senator Sharon Carson introduced Senate Bill 142, asking the Senate Judiciary Committee to re-refer the measure so she can continue negotiations over cost and operational details. \"This is a bill that I have put in before and something that is extremely important to me,\" Carson said, asking for more time to work with state officials.

Carson said SB 142 would establish a Department of Children’s Services and Juvenile Justice and transfer the duties of the DHHS divisions for children, youth and families into the new department. She told the committee she has been meeting with Department of Health and Human Services staff and wants to continue those discussions to reduce start-up costs.

Patricia Tilley, testifying for the Department of Health and Human Services, said the department had \"a number of concerns about senate 142 as introduced,\" but that DHHS is \"very supportive of the opportunity to work with the sponsor and other interested policymakers and advocates to take a more measured approach.\" Tilley said DHHS plans to use its strategic priorities and an upcoming assessment of the children's system of care to guide further work.

Representatives of mental-health and advocacy organizations also told the committee they share concerns about cost and transition logistics but welcomed continued collaboration. Holly Stevens of NAMI New Hampshire said separating youth and adult services ‘‘would make that transition even more difficult’’ and reiterated cost concerns. Tracy Fowler of the New Hampshire Charitable Foundation said the foundation opposed the bill as introduced and urged that money needed to stand up a new department might be better spent strengthening existing community services.

After the hearing, the committee voted to re-refer SB 142 back to committee at the sponsor’s request. The motion to re-refer passed on a voice vote with the chair announcing, \"Ayes have it.\" A formal committee discussion of a refiled or amended measure was the sponsor’s stated aim.

Committee next steps: Senator Carson is to continue discussions with DHHS and stakeholders; the bill will return to committee for further drafting and cost analysis.","Senator Sharon Carson asked the Senate Judiciary Committee on the record to re-refer Senate Bill 142, which would create a separate Department of Children’s Services and Juvenile Justice by moving the DHHS divisions that handle children, youth and families to the new agency.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6664771,"Record custodial interrogations? Bill divides prosecutors, police chiefs and innocence advocates",5393,2217000,7610000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2371469-a68c0d814d47e5b4a160214bb0a3d279&start=2217&end=7610","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2371469-a68c0d814d47e5b4a160214bb0a3d279/thumbnail_2217000.jpg","/articles/6664771/New-Hampshire/Record-custodial-interrogations-Bill-divides-prosecutors-police-chiefs-and-innocence-advocates","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6664771-276b90486cf668cebdaa8699c2263d04/orig.mp4?Expires=1776763387&Signature=aelliNGTAjUlcVubHezir7OgryBJWX3l8QzF6JyF9Sy5BM~03F4TBA1ykW6cprpEHlPNOZlIUNGGHMDskoYutdlkGW~jVSHPkc1Prbc0rMPYvFBPfbEQPLYfcDqCE5ShTB6jWHUJ8amk~Bu06MRS8-S8w1tG4ZKka9qIqZaxxVlced-JwRMVbHTA4TztwtkfAJ3~AjVPO~UjAaPQ0s3HCXBLbcvJ3l68AN3WVTf1aRdzDxjSPDqcSxNlXWHZHzsOpTMvt5tK-oCNdZA-30r3gkzahlGICACThUIxFhfUzshhMl1eCZmKirFyiIxmtmFysvW0xCkSSj43lCZNtmhfGA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Senator Tim McHugh introduced Senate Bill 261, which would require recording custodial interrogations that occur in specified \"places of detention,\" with a minimum requirement of audio recording and video where available. \"A clear, indisputable record of an interrogation protects everyone,\" McHugh said, telling the committee that other states have adopted similar requirements and that recordings can preserve exact phrasing and tone.

Proponents included the Innocence Project and the New England Innocence Project, which said recordings reduce wrongful convictions and help courts evaluate vulnerability to false confession. \"Recording ensures that an individual's rights are protected during the interrogation,\" Winnie Yee of the Innocence Project told the committee. Cynthia Musso of the New England Innocence Project said the measure is narrowly targeted to custodial interrogations in places of detention and includes exceptions and an admissibility process so unrecorded statements can still be admitted if there is a reasonable justification.

Several prosecutors and law enforcement witnesses urged caution. Steven Andrews, an assistant county attorney, said prosecutors \"love recordings\" when they exist but argued that the bill's cross‑references and definitions are confusing and that not every custodial interaction currently designated by case law would fall into the bill's recording requirement. Patrick Sullivan, representing the New Hampshire Association of Chiefs of Police, opposed mandatory legislative prescription and warned that many of the state's 244 police departments lack uniform equipment and that the bill's language is vague. Major Bill Wright of the State Police also warned that circumstances are unpredictable and that funding estimates in the bill may understate the cost of secure recording and retention.

Steve Trainham, a retired homicide detective who has trained agencies on interrogation practices, described having obtained a false confession early in his career; he said accidental confessions can be created by investigative routines and that reviewing complete recordings is the only reliable way to detect false confessions. He urged the committee to require recording.

The committee heard detailed technical and operational questions about where the bill would apply, how it would treat non-suspect witnesses, and the wiretap statute's interaction with surreptitious recording. The Department of Corrections testified as neutral, requesting clarifications and exemptions for routine booking and management operations and for statements collected by non-sworn staff.

No committee vote was recorded during the hearing; senators asked for some clarifying language and discussed the bill's exceptions, admissibility mechanics and funding. The measure drew clear divisions among prosecutors, chiefs, state police, training experts and innocence advocates and will likely see further drafting.","Senate Bill 261 would require recording of custodial interrogations in specified detention settings; supporters said recordings protect suspects and prosecutors and reduce the risk of false confessions, while police chiefs and prosecutors raised concerns about scope, logistics and funding.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6664766,"Sponsor seeks private right of action for civil-rights statute; Attorney General supports notice-and-intervention amendment",4573,5727000,10300000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2371469-a68c0d814d47e5b4a160214bb0a3d279&start=5727&end=10300","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2371469-a68c0d814d47e5b4a160214bb0a3d279/thumbnail_5727000.jpg","/articles/6664766/New-Hampshire/Sponsor-seeks-private-right-of-action-for-civil-rights-statute-Attorney-General-supports-notice-and-intervention-amendment","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6664766-fa503459db8e9cccec7b297874f5165f/orig.mp4?Expires=1776763387&Signature=N-TkcJvVuuP9cepUCKnY4kZr~8MO~Uj~e3wuZPWVQP1HuFRfiujJr9VEddHja95h-xUjmyLTezrzr0W7zopi-a~BYi2VIlmwlkLeSyr4YjWsT2EMYqREDjGUSKrQCBZZTWii51Yzsu1idD4zjmCHCOOUtQUNe8Ukp3FkLGfK6TYt55jmYtTZwS5VljdgG0tATCalEJarAJQFqdtMhblStoikorV2zGg~Fi1IGkVPaQNntwjITQ4xhvRNUHjUs1090dsGIRggDl4IWPBQY0N81x7F9FuYAfVJFzveVTWGAlD3Iy3liDkdrSGcUo4NOQTZ2iU6h4io2~JJHaQhD96vvw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Senator Donovan Fenton introduced SB 139, a bill to allow private parties to bring civil actions under the state’s civil-rights protections (commonly called the \"Veil Rights Act\"). Fenton told the committee the change would give victims of harassment, intimidation or identity‑based conduct an additional enforcement tool alongside the Attorney General's existing authority.

\"This legislation does not replace the Attorney General's role in enforcing civil rights protections; it strengthens it,\" Fenton said, adding the bill would require the Attorney General's office to be notified of private filings and would allow the office to intervene in matters affecting the public interest.

Several stakeholders supported the idea at the hearing. Michael Atkins, an attorney and the NAACP's legal redress chair for Greater Nashua, said the amendment to require AG notice and the AG’s right to intervene were appropriate; he noted neighboring New England states allow private causes of action for similar statutes. Sean Locke, a senior assistant attorney general, testified for the Department of Justice. The department said it was neutral on the bill’s creation of a private cause of action but supported an amendment (requested by the department) that would ensure the Attorney General is notified of private filings and has the ability to intervene to protect the public interest. Locke said the civil-rights unit has grown in recent years and that many of the complaints the office receives are property‑damage or vandalism matters; giving the AG notice of private filings would help the department coordinate enforcement and protect the public.

No committee action was taken at the hearing; senators asked technical questions about remedies and how the AG's oversight would operate if a private suit were filed. The department noted private filings could increase the unit's caseload and asked the committee to consider that potential resource impact.","Sen. Donovan Fenton introduced SB 139 to allow private civil suits under New Hampshire's civil-rights (\"veil rights\") statute; the Attorney General's Office supported an amendment requiring notice to and a right for the AG to intervene in private suits.",{"_33":113,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":114,"_41":115,"_43":116,"_45":117,"_47":118,"_49":119,"_51":120,"_53":121,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":122,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":123,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6664780,"Senate committee backs bill to clarify charges for organized gift-card fraud; amendment adopted",761,1035000,1796000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2371469-a68c0d814d47e5b4a160214bb0a3d279&start=1035&end=1796","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2371469-a68c0d814d47e5b4a160214bb0a3d279/thumbnail_1035000.jpg","/articles/6664780/New-Hampshire/Senate-committee-backs-bill-to-clarify-charges-for-organized-gift-card-fraud-amendment-adopted","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6664780-ce259a8295653fbe9fe44535de46bf98/orig.mp4?Expires=1776763387&Signature=SneV4aoRcpjUk9ne2xykVMVAkbjUM6d3T6SY89DOaaYg5NWbTXhDEGK4V2cIVVNr0W6P3KEiJ4ks8DvUgirABuuvaam27QwuXi377UfRNsakntJo2Wp0xgvd~MzsHWlWc-92wNLuJHZDxc3f37WtVORO0mFMMn9mt0YGiXgQhGkI4GTn5e9Km9N17j-utlGjxfQIOrpKUy56hrhlWybmNx-PSRoVZVxcVJVQS0BMg6Vss4s~jwKGqHkIwM2xmw3TaKvj4F878l18yznqV2knriHMFPUn89cxZIPiSNJTvuzpOj4UrWuCefRRQCLoD0QKlrEug~hLbOqM~QSZ2IMXRA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Senator Denise Ricciardi introduced Senate Bill 258, describing a surge in organized retail schemes that tamper with in‑store gift cards and later drain balances after cards are activated. Ricciardi told the committee the practice leaves customers and retailers with losses and is particularly attractive to organized groups because New Hampshire’s lack of a sales tax makes the state an attractive point of sale for stolen goods.

\"Gift cards are the number 1 most requested holiday gift,\" Ricciardi told the committee, summarizing retail testimony on the prevalence and impact of the crime. The bill’s chief aim, she said, is to give prosecutors clearer statutory tools so theft statutes can reflect modern misuse of gift-card information.

Brandon Gerard, senior assistant attorney general and chief of the Consumer Protection and Antitrust Bureau, testified the attorney general’s office supports SB 258 as amended. \"This bill does not do anything revolutionary. It doesn't do anything complex. All it does is account for the reality that the way theft has been modernized to involve gift cards,\" Gerard said, explaining that the measure inserts definitions into the theft chapter (RSA 637) to make it clear how to value property when a card’s monetary amount is indeterminate.

Curtis Picard, president and CEO of the New Hampshire Retail Association, and other retail witnesses provided industry examples and an infographic attached to their testimony. Retail representatives described schemes in which cards are tampered with on shelves, re‑placed, and monitored so criminals can drain balances after activation; retailers frequently refund affected customers but absorb losses.

The committee considered and passed amendment 2025-0428s and later voted \"ought to pass as amended.\" The chair recorded the motion to pass and members adopted the amendment by voice vote; the bill was moved to the next stage with the amendment in place.

Next steps: With the committee recommendation, SB 258 as amended would move toward a floor calendar for further legislative action and possible enrollment to the governor.","Lawmakers heard testimony and adopted amendments on SB 258, a bill aimed at addressing organized retail gift-card fraud by clarifying how prosecutors value tampered or activated gift cards when charging theft-related offenses; the attorney general's office and retail groups supported the measure and the committee moved it as amended.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Long hearing on SB 290 splits stakeholders over adding a statutory definition of "torture" in animal-cruelty law

Sen. Sharon Carson asks committee to re-refer bill creating separate children's services department

Record custodial interrogations? Bill divides prosecutors, police chiefs and innocence advocates

Sponsor seeks private right of action for civil-rights statute; Attorney General supports notice-and-intervention amendment

Senate committee backs bill to clarify charges for organized gift-card fraud; amendment adopted