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RSA 265-A:15 · Preliminary Breath Test

Title
XXI: MOTOR VEHICLES
Chapter
265-A · ALCOHOL OR DRUG IMPAIRMENT
Status
current
Official source linked
Yes
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265-A:15 Preliminary Breath Test. –

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I.

Any law enforcement officer, authorized agent, or peace officer, who has been certified by the police standards and training council according to standards for such certification contained in rules adopted by said council pursuant to RSA 541-A, having reasonable grounds to believe that a person has been driving, operating, attempting to operate, or in actual physical control of an OHRV, driving, attempting to drive, or in actual physical control of a vehicle, or operating, attempting to operate, or in actual physical control of a boat upon the public waters of the state while under the influence of intoxicating liquor or controlled drug, prescription drug, over-the-counter drug, or any other chemical substance, natural or synthetic, which impairs a person's ability to drive or while the person's alcohol concentration was 0.08 or more or in the case of a person under the age of 21, 0.02 or more or in the case of a person licensed to operate and operating a commercial vehicle or operating a commercial vessel and licensed pursuant to RSA 270-E:22 at the time of the offense, 0.04 or more may, without making an arrest, request that such person submit to a preliminary breath test for alcohol concentration to be administered by the officer. The results of any test administered under this section may be introduced into evidence in a court for any relevant purpose. Failure to submit to the test shall not constitute a violation of this chapter. Evidence of a failure to submit to a preliminary breath test shall not be admissible in court in any prosecution under this subdivision, except for the purpose of determining whether the officer had probable cause to arrest the person. The provisions of this section shall not limit the introduction of any other competent evidence bearing on the question of whether a person charged with violating RSA 265-A:2, I(a), RSA 265-A:2, II, or RSA 265-A:3 was under the influence of intoxicating liquor or any controlled drug, prescription drug, over-the-counter drug, or any other chemical substance, natural or synthetic, which impairs a person's ability to drive. Nothing contained in this section shall be construed to prevent or require a subsequent test pursuant to RSA 265-A:4. The police officer requesting the test shall advise orally the person to be tested that his or her failure to take the test or his or her taking of the test shall not be construed to prevent or require a subsequent test pursuant to RSA 265-A:4. The results of the test shall be furnished immediately to the person tested by the police officer administering the test and in writing, if requested.

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II.

No device may be used to give a chemical test under the provisions of this section unless it has been approved as to type and make by the department of safety.

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III.

The commissioner of the department of safety shall adopt rules, pursuant to RSA 541-A, relative to methods and procedures for evaluation and approval of preliminary breath test devices. Source. 2006, 260:1. 2012, 267:12, eff. Jan. 1, 2013.

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Source note

Source. 2006, 260:1. 2012, 267:12, eff. Jan. 1, 2013.

Source history

  • 2006, 260:1
  • 2012, 267:12, eff. Jan. 1, 2013

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 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 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

  • 2026 SB651-FN-A 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

  • 2025 HB198 reference

    workplace or to affect the ability of employers to have policies restricting the use of cannabis by employees. (b) Be construed to permit driving or operating under the influence of drugs or liquor pursuant to RSA 265-A, nor prevent the state from enacting and imposing penalties for driving under the influence of or while impaired by cannabis. (c) Be construed to permit the transfer of cannabis, with or without remuneration,