New Hampshire Senate Bill SB232

New Hampshire 2023 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/24/23
• Refer: 1/24/23
• Report Pass: 2/22/23

Caption

Making an appropriation to support the work of the New Hampshire Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force.

Impact

The rise in cybertip reports, from an average of about 35 to 50 per month in 2018 to 153 in 2022, necessitates additional funding and resources for NHICAC. The appropriated funds are intended to enhance staffing with a cybertip manager and additional investigators to serve specific counties, including Grafton and Coos counties, while also providing necessary equipment for investigative efforts. These enhancements are viewed as crucial to effectively combat the burgeoning child exploitation cases facilitated through online platforms.

Summary

Senate Bill 232 (SB232) focuses on supporting the New Hampshire Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force (NHICAC) by making appropriations to enhance their operational capabilities. The bill proposes an appropriation of $400,000 for both the fiscal years 2024 and 2025 from the Internet crimes against children fund. The goal is to address the increasing demands placed on the Task Force due to the rising number of reported online child exploitation cases, which have dramatically increased in recent years, straining the Task Force's resources significantly.

Contention

While the bill has garnered support from various stakeholders recognizing the urgency of protecting children from online abuse, there may still be nuances of contention surrounding the allocation of funds and prioritization of resources. Some arguments focus on whether existing budgetary measures sufficiently align with the needs expressed by NHICAC, and if these increases are sustainable in the long term. Additionally, there are considerations regarding how effectively the Task Force can use the allocated funds to make a significant impact on their mission.