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RSA 265-A:1 · Definitions

Title
XXI: MOTOR VEHICLES
Chapter
265-A · ALCOHOL OR DRUG IMPAIRMENT
Status
current
Official source linked
Yes
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265-A:1 Definitions. – In this chapter:

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I.

"Authorized agent" means any agent or inspector certified by the commissioner, after training, to police the public waters of the state.

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II.

"Boat" means and includes every type of watercraft used or capable of being used as a means of transportation on the water.

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III.

"OHRV" means an off highway recreational vehicle as defined in RSA 259:69 or a snowmobile as defined in RSA 259:102.

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IV.

"Peace officer" means "peace officer" as defined in RSA 594:1 or any properly trained personnel of the United States Coast Guard.

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V.

"Operate," when used in relation to a boat, means to drive, paddle, row, or exercise control over any boat unless the boat is at anchor, docked, made fast, or moored.

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VI.

"Drive," or "attempt to drive," or "actual physical control" shall not include sleeping, resting, or sheltering in place in a vehicle parked in any place where parking is permitted, provided that the person is not seated at the controls of the vehicle.

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VII.

"Qualified online victim impact panel program" means any program that meets all of the following requirements:

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(a)

Offers 24 hour per day accessibility;

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(b)

Is offered in both English and Spanish;

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(c)

Provides all direct client support necessary for program completion;

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(d)

Requires the fee for the program to be paid for by the participant;

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(e)

Is available at no cost to the state of New Hampshire or to any county;

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(f)

Includes a non-judgmental presentation of a minimum of 8 personal, true stories shared by victims and offenders about the impact of alcohol, drugs, and illegal driving under the influence conduct upon their lives;

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(g)

Requires a minimum of 3 and 1/2 hours to complete;

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(h)

Provides a system for testing the participant's attention and comprehension multiple times during the program;

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(i)

Provides an individualized security check system for verifying the identity of program participants;

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(j)

Provides communications with participants 6 months after completing the program that reinforces the lessons of the program and encourages participants to live more responsibly; and

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(k)

Issues a certificate of completion to the participant upon satisfactorily fulfilling all attendance, payment, and program participation requirements. The certificate of completion shall contain the business identification number of the program provider. Participants and probation officers should have access to additional copies of the certificate as needed. Source. 2006, 260:1. 2008, 316:1, eff. July 2, 2008. 2020, 20:1, eff. Sept. 15, 2020. 2025, 71:1, eff. Jan. 1, 2026.

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Source note

Source. 2006, 260:1. 2008, 316:1, eff. July 2, 2008. 2020, 20:1, eff. Sept. 15, 2020. 2025, 71:1, eff. Jan. 1, 2026.

Source history

  • 2006, 260:1
  • 2008, 316:1, eff. July 2, 2008
  • 2020, 20:1, eff. Sept. 15, 2020
  • 2025, 71:1, eff. Jan. 1, 2026

Related materials

Bill relationships

  • 2026 HB1235 reference

    or arrest for a different offense. (b) Nothing in this chapter shall be construed to prohibit a law enforcement agency from investigating or charging a person for a violation of RSA 265-A. (c) Nothing in this chapter shall be construed as forbidding any police officer from taking into custody any minor who is found violating paragraph III or IV. (d) Any person under 21 years of age in possession of a

  • 2026 HB1235-FN reference

    or arrest for a different offense. (b) Nothing in this chapter shall be construed to prohibit a law enforcement agency from investigating or charging a person for a violation of RSA 265-A. (c) Nothing in this chapter shall be construed as forbidding any police officer from taking into custody any minor who is found violating paragraph III or IV. (d) Any person under 21 years of age in possession of a

  • 2026 HB1248 amend · effective 2027-01-01

    by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court convened: 1 Penalties for Intoxication or Under Influence of Drugs Offenses. Amend the introductory paragraph of RSA 265-A:18, IV to read as follows: IV. Upon conviction of any offense under RSA 265-A:2, I or RSA 265-A:3, based on a complaint which alleged that the person has had one or more prior convictions under RSA 265-A:2, I or RSA 265

  • 2026 HB1248-FN amend · effective 2027-01-01

    by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court convened: 1 Penalties for Intoxication or Under Influence of Drugs Offenses. Amend the introductory paragraph of RSA 265-A:18, IV to read as follows: IV. Upon conviction of any offense under RSA 265-A:2, I or RSA 265-A:3, based on a complaint which alleged that the person has had one or more prior convictions under RSA 265-A:2, I or RSA 265

  • 2026 HB1486 reference · effective 2027-01-01

    any insured solely because a spouse, household member, or relative by marriage has had their license suspended or revoked, or has been convicted of driving while intoxicated under RSA 265-A. II. No insurer shall require an insured to obtain a higher level of coverage, file proof of financial responsibility, or purchase any rider, endorsement, or policy solely because of the license status or driving rec

  • 2026 HB186 reference

    r does not have lawful grounds for arrest for a different offense. (b) Nothing in this chapter shall be construed to prohibit a law enforcement agency from investigating or charging a person for a violation of RSA 265-A. (c) Nothing in this chapter shall be construed as forbidding any police officer from taking into custody any minor who is found violating paragraph II[,] or III[, or IV]. (d) Any person under 21 years of age

  • 2026 HB186-FN-A reference

    8-F:21 Driving; Minors; and Control of Property. I. Nothing in this chapter shall be construed to permit driving or operating under the influence of drugs or liquor pursuant to RSA 265-A, nor shall this section prevent the state from enacting and imposing penalties for driving under the influence of or while impaired by cannabis. II. Nothing in this chapter shall be construed to permit the transfer of

  • 2026 SB620 reference · effective 2027-01-01

    conviction] one or more prior convictions under RSA 265-A:2, I, RSA 265-A:3, RSA 630:3, II, or under a reasonably equivalent offense in an out-of-state jurisdiction as defined in RSA 265-A:18, VI(b) or a prior refusal of consent under this section or under a reasonably equivalent law in an out-of-state jurisdiction as defined in RSA 265-A:18, VI(b): (1) The director shall suspend his or her license to driv

  • 2026 SB620 amend · effective 2027-01-01

    e it Enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court convened: 26:1 Driving or Operating Under the Influence of Drugs or Liquor; Refusal of Consent. Amend RSA 265-A:14, I through II to read as follows: I. If a person under arrest for any violation or misdemeanor under RSA 265 or RSA 215-A refuses upon the request of a law enforcement officer, authorized agent, or peace officer to sub

  • 2026 SB620-FN reference · effective 2027-01-01

    conviction] one or more prior convictions under RSA 265-A:2, I, RSA 265-A:3, RSA 630:3, II, or under a reasonably equivalent offense in an out-of-state jurisdiction as defined in RSA 265-A:18, VI(b) or a prior refusal of consent under this section or under a reasonably equivalent law in an out-of-state jurisdiction as defined in RSA 265-A:18, VI(b): (1) The director shall suspend his or her license to driv

  • 2026 SB620-FN amend · effective 2027-01-01

    e it Enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court convened: 26:1 Driving or Operating Under the Influence of Drugs or Liquor; Refusal of Consent. Amend RSA 265-A:14, I through II to read as follows: I. If a person under arrest for any violation or misdemeanor under RSA 265 or RSA 215-A refuses upon the request of a law enforcement officer, authorized agent, or peace officer to sub

  • 2026 SB651 reference

    8-F:17 Driving; Minors; and Control of Property. I. Nothing in this chapter shall be construed to permit driving or operating under the influence of drugs or liquor pursuant to RSA 265-A, nor shall this section prevent the state from enacting and imposing penalties for driving under the influence of or while impaired by cannabis. II. Nothing in this chapter shall be construed to permit the transfer of

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