New Hampshire HB 1805: relative to physical fitness performance requirements for certified law enforcement officers.

Bill Text

HB 1805-FN - AS AMENDED BY THE HOUSE

11Mar2026... 0658h

2026 SESSION

 26-2418

 09/07

HOUSE BILL 1805-FN

AN ACT relative to physical fitness performance requirements for certified law enforcement officers. 

SPONSORS: Rep. Colby, Merr. 9; Rep. Damon, Sull. 8; Rep. Darby, Hills. 11; Rep. Trottier, Belk. 8; Rep. Bricchi, Merr. 15

COMMITTEE: Criminal Justice and Public Safety

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AMENDED ANALYSIS

 This bill makes modifications to the physical fitness requirements for law enforcement officers and requires law enforcement agencies to adopt an officer wellness program to support law enforcement officers' wellness.

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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 Matter which is either (a) all new or (b) repealed and reenacted appears in regular type.

11Mar2026... 0658h 26-2418

 09/07

STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE

In the Year of Our Lord Two Thousand Twenty-Six

AN ACT relative to physical fitness performance requirements for certified law enforcement officers. 

Be it Enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court convened:

 1 Police Standards and Training Council; Education and Training Required. Amend RSA 106-L:6 to read as follows: 

 106-L:6 Education and Training Required. 

 I. The council shall provide by rule that after one year from the effective date of the rule no person shall be appointed as a police officer, state corrections officer, or state probation-parole officer, except on a temporary or probationary basis, unless such person has satisfactorily completed a preparatory program of police, corrections, or probation-parole training appropriate to such person's position at a school approved by the council. No such officer who lacks the educational and training qualifications required by this section may have the temporary or probationary employment extended beyond [2 years] 1 year; however, the council, upon a finding of good cause, may grant an extension not to exceed an additional 6 months. 

 II. Every elected police officer shall be required to satisfactorily complete a preparatory program of police training at a school approved by the council. Any elected officer who has not complied with the educational and training requirements of this paragraph within 6 months after election shall be removed from office by the governing body of the governmental unit by which such officer was elected; provided, however, that the council may, for such reasons as it may specify in its rules, grant an extension of this time limit not to exceed an additional 6 months. A governing body which has removed an elected police officer from office under the provisions of this paragraph shall appoint a police officer to fill the vacant office. The appointed police officer shall continue to hold office until the elected officer who was removed has complied with the educational and training requirements of this paragraph or until an election is held, whichever occurs first. If any police officer who has failed to comply with the educational and training requirements of this paragraph is reelected, such officer shall not take office without permission of the council. If a noncomplying police officer who has not obtained the permission of the council to take office is reelected, the governing body of the governmental unit by which such officer was elected shall appoint a police officer to fill the vacant office. The appointed police officer shall continue to hold office until the elected officer has complied with the educational and training requirements of this paragraph or until an election is held, whichever occurs first. 

 III. The council, by rules adopted under RSA 541-A, shall establish the standards for physical and mental fitness under paragraphs [IV-XI] IV through XVIII and shall fix other qualifications for the appointment of police officers, state corrections officers, and probation-parole officers, including minimum age, physical and mental standards, citizenship, good moral character, experience, and other such matters [as relate] related to the competence and reliability of persons to assume and discharge the responsibilities of their offices. The council shall prescribe the means for presenting evidence of the fulfillment of these requirements. 

 IV. The council shall require that all uncertified [part-time and full-time] police officers, state corrections officers, and probation-parole officers, prior to assuming their duties, successfully pass a medical examination including a drug screening administered under the direction of a licensed physician according to protocols adopted by the council. Such examination, when conducted, shall be valid for a period of one year for purpo