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Committee hears bill to increase license-suspension penalties for chemical-test refusal
Summary
Senate Bill 54 would lengthen administrative license suspensions for drivers who refuse chemical tests and broaden use of out-of-state convictions and refusals in New Hampshire’s administrative process; the Department of Safety and state police testified in support while defense attorneys opposed some provisions.
Sen. William Gannon introduced Senate Bill 54, which would increase administrative license-suspension periods tied to refusals of chemical testing and allow out-of-state convictions and administrative refusals to count as prior offenses in New Hampshire.
Ryan McFarland of the Department of Safety’s Bureau of Hearings told the committee New Hampshire has one of the nation’s highest chemical-test refusal rates (citing roughly 68–70% in recent years) and outlined the bill’s four main elements: raise the first-refusal administrative suspension from 180 days to one year; raise subsequent-refusal…
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