New Hampshire SB 556: including syringes and similar medical devices in the definition of special waste for purposes of solid waste management and making the disposal of such special waste a felony.
Status: Refer to Interim Study, MA, VV; 02/19/2026; SJ 4 (as of 2026-02-13)
State: New Hampshire · Session: 2026 · Bill: SB 556
Sponsors: Regina Birdsell, Daniel E. Innis, Timothy Lang, Howard Pearl, Daryl Abbas, Keith R. Murphy
Bill Text
SB 556-FN - AS INTRODUCED 2026 SESSION 26-2142 08/09 SENATE BILL 556-FN AN ACT including syringes and similar medical devices in the definition of special waste for purposes of solid waste management and making the disposal of such special waste a felony. SPONSORS: Sen. Murphy, Dist 16; Sen. Lang, Dist 2; Sen. Pearl, Dist 17; Sen. Innis, Dist 7; Sen. Birdsell, Dist 19; Sen. Abbas, Dist 22 COMMITTEE: Judiciary ----------------------------------------------------------------- ANALYSIS This bill includes syringes and similar medical devices in the definition of special waste for purposes of solid waste management and makes improper disposal of such a felony. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 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 Matter which is either (a) all new or (b) repealed and reenacted appears in regular type. 26-2142 08/09 STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE In the Year of Our Lord Two Thousand Twenty-Six AN ACT including syringes and similar medical devices in the definition of special waste for purposes of solid waste management and making the disposal of such special waste a felony. Be it Enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court convened: 1 Special Waste; Syringes and Medical Waste Included. Amend RSA 149-M:4, XXV to read as follows: XXV. "Special waste" means any matter consisting of medical or infectious wastes including used and unused syringes and similar medical devices that may or may not be contaminated from bodily fluids. 2 New Paragraph; Penalties for Improper Disposal of Special Waste. Amend RSA 149-M:15 by inserting after paragraph VIII the following new paragraph: IX. Notwithstanding the other provisions of this section, improper disposal of special waste shall be a class B felony if a natural person or a felony if any other person. 3 Effective Date. This act shall take effect January 1, 2027. LBA 26-2142 11/18/25 SB 556-FN- FISCAL NOTE AS INTRODUCED AN ACT including syringes and similar medical devices in the definition of special waste for purposes of solid waste management and making the disposal of such special waste a felony. 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
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