Committee adopts changes to DUI penalties and approves year‑ly school firearm‑safety training in SB 54

The House Criminal Justice and Public Safety Committee on Friday adopted an amended version of Senate Bill 54 that tightens penalties for refusing breathalyzer tests and, by a separate non‑germane amendment, would require one hour per year of age‑appropriate firearm safety instruction in public schools, the committee chair and witnesses said.

Sponsor Representative William Roy, the bill’s author, told the committee the amendment keeps a stiffer suspension for refusing a breath test but creates incentives for people who take the test: if a person fails the test, complies with court‑ordered alcohol treatment and related requirements, the court may restore up to six months of the license suspension. Roy said the amendment also allows a court to grant a limited “Cinderella” license—restricted hours and routes for commuting—while a person is enrolled in treatment and complying with testing.

"If you take the breathalyzer test and you fail but you comply with the court ordered alcohol treatment, you are eligible to have up to six months of that suspension taken back," Representative Roy said during the public hearing. He described the changes as less punitive and more focused on rehabilitation.

The non‑germane amendment, added to SB 54 during the committee’s hearing, directs the Department of Education, in consultation with the Department of Safety, to develop an age‑appropriate curriculum that the bill describes as potentially including the NRA’s Eddie Eagle program as an example. The amendment specifies a minimum of one hour per year, allows parents to opt their children out, and states that no firearms or ammunition will be present during instruction.

"This mandates one hour a year. This isn't a huge course that's gonna take up a lot of time," Roy said. "Every parent has a right to opt out." He said the Department of Education would determine curriculum details and that trainings could be provided by a trained teacher, a law‑enforcement officer, or another qualified instructor.

Witnesses and legislators offered sharply divided testimony. Supporters, including Justin Davis, the New Hampshire NRA state director, said Eddie Eagle and NRA hunter‑education resources are free and emphasize safe behavior around firearms. "Eddie Eagle is the gold standard for teaching children how to be safe in homes with firearms," Davis said.

Opponents — including school board members, PTA representatives, public‑health advocates and students — argued the amendment is an unfunded mandate, risks normalizing firearms in schools, and lacks evidence that one hour per year reduces suicide or unintentional injury. Sarah Gentile, a Rochester parent active in gun‑violence prevention, told the committee, "Adults are passing on the burden of safety to children." Emma Savini of New Futures said evidence does not show Eddie Eagle reduces suicide risk and recommended trauma‑informed, evidence‑based strategies such as safe‑storage counseling.

Local testimony highlighted how districts vary: Heather Raymond, Nashua school board member, described a multi‑year local process that kept shooting activities off campus, opt‑in, and tailored to community standards. Several legislators and witnesses raised concerns about curricular time, funding, and whether a one‑hour annual requirement is practicable for the state to mandate and for districts to deliver.

The committee adopted the amendment and then voted to report SB 54 "ought to pass with amendment." The roll call on both the adopted amendment (labelled in committee papers as 1756H) and the final motion to report carried 9–6.

What the amendment would require and what remains unsettled

- Scope and timing: The amendment sets a minimum of one hour of age‑appropriate firearm safety education per year, with the Department of Education to develop curriculum in consultation with the Department of Safety. Parents may opt their children out. The bill sets an implementation deadline mentioned in testimony as January 1, 2026; witnesses said that timeframe raised feasibility concerns.

- Funding and delivery: Sponsor Roy and some supporters asserted the program would be "no cost to districts," citing free materials such as Eddie Eagle and hunter‑education programs. Multiple witnesses and committee members said the bill contains no independent fiscal analysis and questioned how districts—already under financial strain—would schedule and staff the training.

- Safe‑storage and suicide prevention: Several public‑health witnesses urged that any school‑based instruction be paired with evidence‑based adult‑focused measures (safe‑storage laws, counseling, and suicide‑prevention programming). The amendment does not include new safe‑storage mandates or explicit, required suicide‑prevention instruction.

Committee action and votes

In executive session the committee chair moved adoption of the amendment, which passed by roll call 9 yes, 6 no. The same 9–6 vote carried the motion that SB 54 "ought to pass with amendment." (Roll‑call details are included below in Actions.)

Why it matters

The bill pairs two distinct public‑safety concerns: encouraging compliance with breath testing and adding school‑based firearm education. Supporters say the DUI changes create incentives for treatment and safer roads, while proponents of the school training say age‑appropriate education and safe‑storage messaging can spare lives. Opponents say the training portion is procedurally late, lacks funding and evidence of effectiveness for preventing real‑world firearm injuries, and shifts responsibility from adults to children.

Next steps

The committee voted to report SB 54 "ought to pass with amendment" and it will move to the next legislative step. The Department of Education and Department of Safety would have primary roles developing any required curriculum if the bill becomes law; multiple witnesses and legislators requested more time and a fiscal analysis before statewide implementation.

Votes at a glance

- Adoption of amendment (1756H): passed 9–6. - Motion that SB 54 "ought to pass with amendment": passed 9–6.

(Details of each roll call are in Actions below.)

Ending

Committee members said they were open to further floor amendments and refinements on curriculum, opt‑in/opt‑out language, funding and links to evidence‑based suicide‑prevention and safe‑storage measures as the bill proceeds.