STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE
SENATE
REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE
FOR THE CONSENT CALENDAR
Friday, April 17, 2026
THE COMMITTEE ON Judiciary
to which was referred HB 1633-FN
AN ACT expanding the information provided to survivors of sexual assault regarding their existing rights.
Having considered the same, the committee recommends that the Bill
BE REFERRED TO INTERIM STUDY
BY A VOTE OF: 4-0
Senator Debra Altschiller
For the Committee
This legislation is an attempt to strengthen New Hampshire’s victims rights laws, particularly for victims of sexual assault. The current statute provides that sexual assault survivors may not be denied a medical examination, to have the results of forensic testing preserved, and to be given the results of any such tests. The bill would specify that a victim could request any individual element of a sexual assault evidence collection kit, even outside the timeframe when such evidence could be useful, and even when it is against best practice to do so. The Department of Justice and victims’ rights advocates believe this provision would create a false expectation for survivors and complicate prosecution of suspected offenders. Additionally, the bill would inadvertently remove those unable to assert that they have been assaulted from the definition of “sexual assault survivor”, including young children and non-verbal individuals. The bill would also create rights to collect evidence of crimes committed outside of New Hampshire, raising serious jurisdictional questions. While intended to help victims of sexual assault, this bill would unintentionally be more likely to harm those victims, not help them.
Sonja Caldwell 271-2117
FOR THE CONSENT CALENDAR
Judiciary
HB 1633-FN, expanding the information provided to survivors of sexual assault regarding their existing rights.
Interim Study, Vote 4-0.
Senator Debra Altschiller for the committee.
This legislation is an attempt to strengthen New Hampshire’s victims rights laws, particularly for victims of sexual assault. The current statute provides that sexual assault survivors may not be denied a medical examination, to have the results of forensic testing preserved, and to be given the results of any such tests. The bill would specify that a victim could request any individual element of a sexual assault evidence collection kit, even outside the timeframe when such evidence could be useful, and even when it is against best practice to do so. The Department of Justice and victims’ rights advocates believe this provision would create a false expectation for survivors and complicate prosecution of suspected offenders. Additionally, the bill would inadvertently remove those unable to assert that they have been assaulted from the definition of “sexual assault survivor”, including young children and non-verbal individuals. The bill would also creates rights to collect evidence of crimes committed outside of New Hampshire, raising serious jurisdictional questions. While intended to help victims of sexual assault, this bill would unintentionally be more likely to harm those victims, not help them.