Ayotte signs crime victim bills into law

(The Center Square) – New Hampshire Gov. Kelly Ayotte has signed a slew of bills aimed at protecting crime victims, strengthening penalties for human trafficking and cracking down on child pornography generated by artificial intelligence.

The first-term Republican signed 11 bills on Monday updating laws related to how investigators handle rape kits, establish a committee to study the toll of human trafficking within illicit massage parlors and sets stricter penalties for creating child sex abuse images using artificial intelligence programs.

“New Hampshire continues to take decisive action to protect victims and survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, human trafficking, and other horrific crimes and get offenders off our streets,” Ayotte said in a statement. “From cracking down on human trafficking to establishing a new domestic violence fatality review committee, we’re making sure our state remains the safest state in the nation.”

Among the bills signed by Ayotte:

House Bill 218 provides victims of crimes with a right to request a free initial police report and, following the conclusion of the investigation or case, a free copy of the complete case file.

- Advertisement -

Senate Bill 140 establishes the Domestic Violence Fatality Review Committee to conduct comprehensive, multidisciplinary reviews of deaths related to domestic violence.

Senate Bill 148 prohibits those convicted of murder from financially profiting from the death of the victim. For example, if a person kills their parent, they cannot then inherit their parent’s estate.

Senate Bill 262 increases the penalty for certain offenses involving the trafficking of persons under 18 years of age to 18 years to life imprisonment.

While New Hampshire’s violent crime rate has been decreasing for years, Ayotte has said there are too many crimes being committed and campaigned on a platform of tightening the state’s public safety laws.

The former U.S. senator made crime a central pillar of her gubernatorial campaign last year, focusing on New Hampshire’s most populous city, Manchester, and attacking her Democratic opponent Joyce Craig’s record as mayor.

Attorney General John Formella was among those who praised Ayotte for signing the slate of public safety bills, saying they “send a clear message: victims will be supported and perpetrators will be held accountable.”

- Advertisement -

“These new laws – from enhancing protections for domestic violence survivors to increasing penalties for human trafficking and exploitation – demonstrate our dedication to safeguarding the most vulnerable,” Formella, a Republican, said in a statement.

spot_img
spot_img

Hot this week

Health care company agrees to pay $22.5 million to settle claims of over billing

A health care company agreed to pay nearly $22.5...

African and Caribbean Nations Call for Reparations for Slave Trade, Propose Global Fund

Nations across Africa and the Caribbean, deeply impacted by...

Sports betting expert offers advice on paying taxes for gambling winnings

(The Center Square) – Tax season is underway, and...

Business association ‘disappointed’ by WA L&I’s proposed workers comp rate hike

(The Center Square) – The Association of Washington Business...

Entertainment district benefits don’t outweigh the cost, economists say

(The Center Square) — Weeks later, after more details...

Eggs, milk prices decrease

(The Center Square) – Eggs by 15 cents and...

NYU Law School cancels free speech event on October 7 with Jewish speaker

(The Center Square) – New York University School of...

Walmart plans to ditch synthetic dyes for in-house brands by 2027

(The Center Square) – The nation's largest retailer signaled...

Tiffany: Wisconsin should not close a single power plant

(The Center Square) – Tom Tiffany says Wisconsin barely...

Texas Yass Prize awards $4 million to 11 school choice education providers

(The Center Square) – Eleven education providers from eight...

WATCH: Illinois Republicans propose law putting distance between protesters, police

(The Center Square) – Illinois statehouse Republicans are pushing...

Plaintiffs unable to prove racial gerrymandering

(The Center Square) – Two voters lacked standing and,...

Survey shows broad support for Trump’s $1,000 baby savings accounts

Nearly two-thirds of Americans support President Donald Trump’s new...

More like this
Related

Eggs, milk prices decrease

(The Center Square) – Eggs by 15 cents and...

NYU Law School cancels free speech event on October 7 with Jewish speaker

(The Center Square) – New York University School of...

Walmart plans to ditch synthetic dyes for in-house brands by 2027

(The Center Square) – The nation's largest retailer signaled...

Tiffany: Wisconsin should not close a single power plant

(The Center Square) – Tom Tiffany says Wisconsin barely...