Senate passes bill to prohibit loitering around schools, child care centers

The Department of Safety requested a bill to make it illegal for sex offenders to loiter outside of schools, child care facilities, and churches. (Photo by Maya Mitchell/New Hampshire Bulletin)

Lawmakers in Concord were busy Thursday. 

Following Gov. Kelly Ayotte’s State of the State address, the New Hampshire State Senate voted on a slew of bills during its session, including Senate Bill 460. 

SB 460 would prohibit tier II and tier III sex offenders who are registered because of crimes against children under the age of 13 from loitering or prowling within 1,000 feet of schools, child care facilities, churches, and “any area where a reasonable person would know that minor children congregate.” 

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The Senate voted to pass the bill as part of the consent calendar, in which a group of bills considered noncontroversial are acted upon with a single vote.

If the bill becomes law, it would also amend state law to make offenders loitering and prowling around these areas a “circumstance that would warrant alarm.” 

Currently, if a person leaves upon the appearance or questioning of law enforcement, has possession of an item that could be used to commit a crime, examines entrances to a structure they have no purpose or authority to enter, or manifestly endeavors to conceal himself or any object, it is considered an alarming circumstance. 

The bill was proposed at the request of the Department of Safety after multiple child care providers could not get their local police stations to arrest sex offenders for maliciously being on sidewalks or across the street from child care centers. 

A similar bill is currently making its way through the House of Representatives.