NH HB257

Establishes the new crime of "criminal neglect of a child" (known as "Charlotte's Law") applying to persons responsible for a child's welfare who negligently fail to provide necessary care, food, clothing, medical care, shelter, or protection from exposure to controlled drugs, seriously endangering the child's health

Poverty is explicitly excluded as a basis for prosecution under this statute

Penalties range from class A misdemeanor for basic violations, to class B felony if the neglect results in serious bodily injury, sexual assault of the child, or upon a third conviction, to class A felony if neglect results in the child's death

Allows extended term of imprisonment when the offense is committed against a child under 13 years of age

Effective date is January 1, 2026