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Bill

SB 145

establishing an evidence shipping pilot program.

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Debra Altschiller

SB 145 creates an evidence shipping pilot program to streamline forensic sample transport between New Hampshire law enforcement and crime labs while maintaining legal chain-of-custody standards.

Signed by the Governor on 07/15/2025; Chapter 0236; Effective 07/01/2025
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Bill Summary · SB 145

Legislative bill overview

SB 145 establishes a pilot program in New Hampshire to streamline the shipping and handling of evidence between law enforcement agencies and crime laboratories. The bill creates a systematic framework for transporting physical evidence while maintaining chain-of-custody protocols and ensuring forensic integrity.

Why is this important

Efficient evidence handling directly impacts criminal case timelines and justice system outcomes. Delays in evidence transport can slow investigations, postpone trials, and strain relationships between local police departments and state crime labs. This pilot program aims to reduce bottlenecks in the forensic analysis process.

Potential points of contention

  • Cost allocation: Unclear who bears expenses for the shipping infrastructure and logistics coordination between multiple agencies
  • Chain-of-custody concerns: New shipping procedures must maintain strict documentation standards to ensure evidence admissibility in court; any procedural gaps could compromise prosecutions
  • Implementation burden: Small or rural law enforcement agencies may face challenges adopting new protocols compared to larger departments

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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