HB1640, titled “an act relative to the classification of convicted sex offenders and offenders against children,” is New Hampshire’s attempt at complying with the federal Adam Walsh Act (AWA). We’ve identified a large number of serious problems with this bill, and thus we oppose its passage in its current form.

We weren’t involved in this fight, but we’d like to thank Carl Soderstrom and the New Hampshire Liberty Alliance for getting this bill killed.

HB1481, titled “an act relative to identification of registered sex offenders on the state website,” is a bill that would, among other things, repeal the following portion of RSA 651-B:1:—

The court shall also make a finding as to whether the offender’s name and registration information shall appear on the public list authorized by RSA 651-B:7. In determining whether the offender’s name shall appear on the public list, the court shall consider whether the victim was a minor at the time of the crime; the nature of the offenses that are currently listed on the public list; whether public safety would be furthered by including the offender on the public list; and any other relevant factors. The hearing at which such a determination is made shall comply with due process requirements, including a right to appeal the finding. The court shall provide the defendant an opportunity to be heard on the issue prior to the imposition of the registration requirement and shall state on the record the reasons for its findings and the reasons for requiring registration.

In other words, it would remove the court’s discretion as to whether or not a public listing was necessary, and require all such offenders to be listed. As such, we oppose this bill.

This bill was reviewed by Carl Soderstrom of the New Hampshire Liberty Alliance, who took it upon himself to contact Rep. Jason Bedrick, one of the sponsors, and ask him to clarify the purpose of this bill. After some discussion, Rep. Bedrick withdrew his support for the bill.