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Panel supports free police-report access for crime victims, agencies flag redaction and timing issues
Summary
House Bill 218 would require law enforcement to provide victims a copy of the complete police report at no charge within 60 days of request; advocates said victims should not have to pay for their case records while police cautioned large investigations require time for redactions and processing.
Representative John T. McDonald introduced House Bill 218, which would add a right guaranteeing crime victims a free copy of the complete police report within 60 days of request after case closure. "Let's not make victims take money out of their own pockets for a copy of a police report for a crime that was committed against them," McDonald said, noting the defendant in a criminal case typically gets a free copy of investigative reports.
Pamela Kailig, public policy specialist at the New Hampshire Coalition Against Domestic and Sexual Violence, testified for the bill and said victims often need reports quickly to access services, claim compensation, pursue civil actions, or satisfy employer or landlord requirements. She noted that while 91-A (the right-to-know statute) already provides public-access pathways, the bill would eliminate the fee for victims and make access more timely.
Representatives of law enforcement supported the concept but asked the committee to refine timing and scope. Bill Bright, major with the New Hampshire State Police, and another state police witness explained that reports vary widely in size and that large criminal investigations can include extensive records and digital files requiring redaction to remove confidential or sensitive information. "Providing redactions of thousands of pages can take some time," a state police witness said. The State Police asked the committee or a subcommittee to work with agencies on workable time frames and definitions of the "complete report" (for example, arrest reports versus an entire investigative file).
The committee appointed a subcommittee to work on the bill language and to reconcile victim access with law-enforcement operational needs, including clarifying whether "complete police report" means a single report or an assembled investigative file and what redaction timelines are appropriate.
No committee vote was taken; the sponsor and witnesses agreed to work with staff and law enforcement on language.
