Governor Ayotte Signs New Laws to Protect Crime Victims

CONCORD, NH - On July 28, 2025, Governor Kelly Ayotte held a ceremonial bill signing for new laws to protect crime victims, strengthen penalties for offenses such as human trafficking, and crack down on AI-generated child sexual abuse materials.

"New Hampshire continues to take decisive action to protect victims and survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, human trafficking, and other horrific crimes and get offenders off our streets," said Governor Ayotte. "From cracking down on human trafficking to establishing a new domestic violence fatality review committee, we're making sure our state remains the safest state in the nation. I'm grateful to the legislators who worked to bring these new laws to my desk, and I thank the advocates, law enforcement, and brave survivors who helped make these reforms possible."

"Today represents a significant step forward in our commitment to protect Granite Staters and seek justice for victims. These new laws—from enhancing protections for domestic violence survivors to increasing penalties for human trafficking and exploitation—demonstrate our dedication to safeguarding the most vulnerable," added Attorney General John Formella. "Through initiatives like the Domestic Violence Fatality Review Committee and stronger enforcement against illicit activities, we send a clear message: victims will be supported and perpetrators will be held accountable. I commend Governor Ayotte for her leadership in advancing these critical measures, which reinforce New Hampshire's standing as the safest state in the nation."

"Law enforcement throughout New Hampshire put on the uniform every day to serve those in need of our help and protect our communities from criminals," said Chief Tim Crowley of the Atkinson Police Department and President of the New Hampshire Chiefs of Police Association. "These new laws will help police departments across our state continue to support victims as we hold offenders accountable, and I thank Governor Ayotte and everyone involved in getting these bills over the finish line."

"As we work to build a safer Granite State, we're grateful to Governor Ayotte for prioritizing the voices of survivors and for bringing together legislators, advocates, and public officials to highlight the importance of these critical public safety bills," added Amanda Grady Sexton, director of public affairs for the NH Coalition Against Domestic and Sexual Violence. "Public safety means being safe in your workplace, safe online, and safe in your own home—not just on the streets. These new laws will improve the lives of victims of crime and strengthen our ability to prevent abuse before it happens."

The Governor recognized the following bills previously signed into law:

• House Bill 62 - Provides financial assistance to victims of sexual assault and sexual harassment in the National Guard so they can participate in court proceedings and permits the introduction of military protective orders in proceedings for civil domestic violence protective orders.
• House Bill 218 - Provides victims of crimes with a right to request a free initial police report and, following the conclusion of the investigation or case, a free copy of the complete case file.
• House Bill 369 - Ensures accountability for criminals who commit offenses against minors and clarifies an offender against children's duty to report to local law enforcement.
• House Bill 405 - Establishes a commission to study human trafficking within illicit massage businesses and enhances the penalties for certain prostitution-related offenses.
• House Bill 473 - Expands the criminal statute criminalizing exposing children to methamphetamine and allows for law enforcement to take a child into protective custody for screening or testing for criminal exposure to methamphetamine to cover all controlled substances, except those possessed pursuant to a lawful prescription.
• Senate Bill 140 - Establishes the Domestic Violence Fatality Review Committee to conduct comprehensive, multidisciplinary reviews of deaths related to domestic violence.
• Senate Bill 145 - Enables the Department of Safety to establish an evidence shipping pilot program, aiming to improve how the State handles rape kits.
• Senate Bill 148 - Prohibits those convicted of murder from financially profiting from the death of the victim. For example, if a person kills their parent, they cannot then inherit their parent's estate.
• Senate Bill 262 - Increases the penalty for certain offenses involving the trafficking of persons under 18 years of age to 18 years to life imprisonment.
• Senate Bill 300 - Targets AI-generated child sexual abuse material by making it a felony for a person to knowingly create, produce, manufacture, or direct an intimate visual representation of a child without the parent or guardian's consent.

Governor Ayotte also signed into law Senate Bill 267 to increase penalties for engaging in prostitution as a patron and establishing a mandatory fine for doing so.