New regulations on the use of body cameras by police and restrictions on the use of lasers, as well as a measure that strengthens the state’s Right-to-Know law are in a basketful of bills signed into law by Gov. Maggie Hassan with an effective date of Jan. 1, 2017.
Police body cameras
When video from a news helicopter in May captured police officers beating a suspect in Nashua at the end of a high-speed chase, the body camera bill, which had been working its way through the Legislature since January, gained momentum.The bill (HB1584) was signed into law in June. It does not require state, local or county law enforcement agencies to use body cameras, but sets out seven pages of regulations should they decide to do so.
The regulations define training requirements, circumstances under which videotaping can and cannot take place, what happens to the tapes, who can see them, how long they can be stored, and how much of their content is subject to the Right-to-Know law.
Laser misuse
Shining a laser device at an aircraft or automobile, or into the eyes of another person, will be a crime in the new year, thanks to HB1599.The law states that any person who knowingly shines a laser at an occupied vehicle, window, or person “shall be guilty of a violation and the laser pointing device shall be seized and forfeited upon conviction.”
Anyone who shines a laser at an airplane will be charged with a misdemeanor and face the same forfeiture penalty.
Right-to-Know law
Public access to the workings of government was enhanced by two changes to the state’s Right-to-Know law. As of Jan. 1, minutes of all non-public sessions allowed by the law will have to include the voting record of each elected official present for any votes taken behind closed doors (HB1419).Another measure clarifies the information that is required in the minutes of such non-public sessions, to include at a minimum the names of board members and persons appearing before the board, a brief description of the subject matter discussed and any final decisions made (HB1418).
Other measures taking effect on Jan. 1 include laws that:
- Define human trafficking, make it a crime and require registration on the sex offender registry for anyone convicted (HB1628).
- Require DNA analysis for people found not guilty by reason of insanity or committed to the Secure Psychiatric Unit at the state prison (SB339).
