Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Criminal Justice topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Senate committee backs tougher penalties for motorists who flee police
Summary
The Senate Judiciary Committee heard testimony supporting SB409, which would reclassify certain fleeing-from-police conduct as felonies and make fleeing that causes serious injury or death a Class A felony; the State Police cited a 123% rise in pursuits since 2017.
The Senate Judiciary Committee on Thursday examined Senate Bill 409, which would increase criminal penalties for motorists who disobey law enforcement during traffic stops or flee from police pursuits.
Senator Bill Ganon (District 23), chair of the committee, introduced the bill, saying it targets drivers who “turn your lights off, you hide behind the big billboard” and attempt to evade officers. “It would be a misdemeanor would go to a B felony,” he said, and the bill also elevates conduct that causes serious bodily injury or death to a Class A felony.
Lieutenant Chris Storm of the New Hampshire State Police told the committee the measure updates RSA 2654 to classify fleeing under subparagraph 1C as a Class B felony and to elevate injury or death outcomes to a Class A felony. “The New Hampshire State Police has seen a 123% increase in pursuits since the year 2017,” Storm said, arguing that “graduated penalties” and continued license-suspension provisions will act as a stronger deterrent.
Committee members pressed Storm to clarify statutory definitions. When asked how the statute distinguishes ordinary noncompliance from conduct that creates a pursuit, Storm pointed to the bill’s subparagraph C, which defines active fleeing by behaviors such as exceeding the speed limit, accelerating, extinguishing lights and other actions that create a motor-vehicle pursuit. Storm said he would provide the committee with comparative data about surrounding states’ statutes and results when available.
No members of the public offered testimony on SB409 during the public-comment period. The committee recorded motions in executive session and moved the bill forward by voice vote; a detailed roll-call tally was not recorded in the hearing transcript.
The committee requested additional information about interstate comparisons and data supporting the rise in pursuits; Lieutenant Storm indicated he would supply that information to members. The committee’s next procedural step will be determined by the Senate calendar.
