New Hampshire HB 1158: relative to the definition of intimate partner.

Bill Text

HB 1158-FN - AS INTRODUCED
2026 SESSION
26-2629
09/08
HOUSE BILL 1158-FN
AN ACT relative to the definition of intimate partner.
SPONSORS: Rep. Alexander Jr., Hills. 29; Rep. Kuttab, Rock. 17; Rep. Manos, Rock. 12; Rep.
Rombeau, Hills. 2; Rep. Turer, Rock. 6; Sen. Perkins Kwoka, Dist 21; Sen.
Reardon, Dist 15
COMMITTEE: Criminal Justice and Public Safety
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ANALYSIS
This bill expands the definition of intimate partner applicable in domestic violence cases.
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Explanation: Matter added to current law appears in bold italics.
Matter removed from current law appears [in brackets and struckthrough.]
Matter which is either (a) all new or (b) repealed and reenacted appears in regular type.

HB 1158-FN - AS INTRODUCED
26-2629
09/08
STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE
In the Year of Our Lord Two Thousand Twenty-Six
AN ACT relative to the definition of intimate partner.
Be it Enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court convened:
1 Protection of Persons from Domestic Violence; Definitions. Amend RSA 173-B:1, XV to read as
follows:
XV. "Intimate partners" means persons currently or formerly involved in a sexual
relationship, or in a romantic relationship, whether or not such relationship was ever sexually
consummated.
2 Criminal Code; Domestic Violence. Amend RSA 631:2-b, III(b) to read as follows:
(b) "Intimate partner" means a person with whom the actor is currently or was formerly
involved in a sexual relationship, or in a romantic relationship, regardless of whether or not the
relationship was sexually consummated.
3 Effective Date. This act shall take effect January 1, 2027.
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LBA
26-2629
11/5/25
HB 1158-FN- FISCAL NOTE
AS INTRODUCED
AN ACT relative to the definition of intimate partner.
FISCAL IMPACT:
Estimated State Impact
FY 2026 FY 2027 FY 2028 FY 2029
Revenue $0 $0 $0 $0
Revenue Fund None
Expenditures* Indeterminable
Funding Source General Fund
Appropriations* $0 $0 $0 $0
Funding Source None
*Expenditure = Cost of bill *Appropriation = Authorized funding to cover cost of bill
Estimated Political Subdivision Impact
FY 2026 FY 2027 FY 2028 FY 2029
County Revenue $0 $0 $0 $0
County Expenditures Indeterminable
Local Revenue $0 $0 $0 $0
Local Expenditures Indeterminable

METHODOLOGY:
This bill adds, deletes, or modifies a criminal penalty, or changes statute to which there is a
penalty for violation. Therefore, this bill may have an impact on the judicial and correctional
systems, which could affect prosecution, incarceration, probation, and parole costs, for the state,
as well as county and local governments. A summary of such costs can be found at:
https://gencourt.state.nh.us/lba/Budget/Fiscal_Notes/JudicialCorrectionalCosts.pdf
AGENCIES CONTACTED:
Judicial Branch, Judicial Council, Department of Justice, Department of Corrections, New
Hampshire Association of Counties, and New Hampshire Municipal Association