Ayotte Signs Sweeping Public Safety Legislation to Protect Victims, Crack Down on Trafficking and AI Child Exploitation

CONCORD — Governor Kelly Ayotte signed a broad slate of public safety bills into law Monday, enacting new protections for crime victims and stiffening penalties for crimes ranging from human trafficking to AI-generated child sexual abuse imagery.

Flanked by law enforcement leaders, legislators, and victim advocacy groups during a ceremonial bill signing at the State House, Ayotte emphasized her administration’s commitment to ensuring New Hampshire remains “the safest state in the nation.”

Among the measures now law are new penalties for the patrons of prostitution, expanded protections for domestic violence survivors, and a landmark statute targeting the emerging threat of artificial intelligence being used to create child sexual abuse material. That law, Senate Bill 300, makes it a felony to knowingly create or direct intimate visual depictions of children without parental consent—even if AI is used to simulate the image.

Other new laws include the establishment of a Domestic Violence Fatality Review Committee, harsher sentences for those convicted of trafficking minors, and policies to ensure survivors of sexual assault in the National Guard can access legal proceedings and protections. Lawmakers also acted to bar convicted murderers from profiting financially from the death of their victims.

“Today represents a significant step forward in our commitment to protect Granite Staters and seek justice for victims,” said Attorney General John Formella in a statement, highlighting the scope of the legislative package.

Law enforcement leaders echoed the sentiment. “These new laws will help police departments across our state continue to support victims as we hold offenders accountable,” said Atkinson Police Chief Tim Crowley, president of the New Hampshire Chiefs of Police Association.

The bipartisan legislative package includes:

• HB 62 – Provides legal and financial support to National Guard sexual assault victims and permits introduction of military protective orders in domestic violence cases.

• HB 218 – Grants victims free access to police reports and case files once investigations conclude.

• HB 369 – Enhances reporting requirements and accountability for those convicted of crimes against minors.

• HB 405 – Establishes a human trafficking commission and increases penalties related to illicit massage businesses.

• HB 473 – Expands child protection laws to include exposure to all illicit drugs, not just methamphetamine.

• SB 140 – Creates the Domestic Violence Fatality Review Committee to examine domestic violence-related deaths.

• SB 145 – Launches a pilot program to improve rape kit handling through evidence shipping reforms.

• SB 148 – Prohibits convicted murderers from inheriting from their victims.

• SB 262 – Sets sentencing for trafficking minors at 18 years to life.

• SB 267 – Increases fines and penalties for individuals soliciting prostitution.

• SB 300 – Criminalizes AI-generated depictions of child sexual abuse.

Senate Majority Leader Regina Birdsell (R-Hampstead) and Senator Victoria Sullivan (R-Manchester), who sponsored several of the bills, praised Ayotte’s actions.

“These new laws will make our state safer by banning harmful AI images and not allowing family members to profit off of another family member's death,” Birdsell said.

Sullivan added, “These laws will deter these heinous crimes in our state, and I want to thank Governor Ayotte for helping keep our state the safest state in the nation.”

The legislation was developed with input from survivors, law enforcement officials, and the New Hampshire Coalition Against Domestic and Sexual Violence, which applauded the administration’s focus on addressing threats both physical and digital.

With these laws now enacted, New Hampshire strengthens its reputation as one of the nation’s leaders in victim protection and crime prevention.