HB 164  - AS INTRODUCED

2023 SESSION

23-0703

04/08

HOUSE BILL 164

AN ACT relative to prohibiting towns from criminalizing the right to peacefully and orderly assemble.

SPONSORS: Rep. Hynes, Hills. 2; Rep. T. Lekas, Hills. 38; Rep. Janvrin, Rock. 40; Rep. Phinney, Straf. 9; Rep. Noble, Hills. 2

COMMITTEE: Judiciary

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ANALYSIS

This bill creates an exemption from the criminal code for orderly and peaceful assembly.

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Matter which is either (a) all new or (b) repealed and reenacted appears in regular type.

23-0703

04/08

STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE

In the Year of Our Lord Two Thousand Twenty Three

AN ACT relative to prohibiting towns from criminalizing the right to peacefully and orderly assemble.

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

1  New Paragraph; Breaches of the Peace and Related Offenses; Disorderly Conduct.  Amend RSA 644:2 by inserting after paragraph VI the following new paragraph:

VII.  Notwithstanding any other provision of law, it shall not be a crime or violation to peacefully assemble, demonstrate, or protest in a public place in an orderly and peaceful manner.  Any municipal ordinance that is contrary to this paragraph shall be void and without effect.  In this paragraph, "orderly manner" means not engaging in conduct prohibited under paragraph II(c) or paragraph III of this section.

2  Effective Date.  This act shall take effect upon its passage.