New Hampshire 2026 Session Status: Passed House Bipartisan · 4 D · 1 R cosponsors

HB 1805 — relative to physical fitness performance requirements for certified law enforcement officers.

Last action — Inexpedient to Legislate, MA, VV === BILL KILLED ===; 05/07/2026; SJ 11

  1. ✓
    Introduced
  2. ✓
    In Committee
  3. 3
    Passed House
  4. 4
    Passed Senate
  5. 5
    To Executive
  6. 6
    Enacted

This bill has passed the House. Introduced December 18, 2025. It now moves to the second chamber.

Next likely step: consideration and a floor vote in the Senate.

Odds of enactment

High chance

Based on the sponsor, cosponsors, and committee posture, this bill has a high chance of becoming law.

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A statistical estimate from our own model of past outcomes — an insight, not a guarantee. Policymaking is volatile.

Prognosis

Advancing 52% · moderate confidence

  • Passed House

    Current position in the legislative process.

  • 5 sponsors

    1 primary, 4 co-sponsors signed on.

  • Bipartisan support

    Sponsored across 2 parties (4 D · 1 R) — cross-party backing.

Based on stage, sponsorship breadth, committee status, recorded votes, and cross-state momentum — a description of the observable signals, not a prediction.

Summary

relative to physical fitness performance requirements for certified law enforcement officers.

Bill Text

What changed in the latest version

178 added · 30 removed

Plain-language change summary

The amendments to Bill HB 1805 have changed the requirements for physical fitness testing and introduced a wellness program for law enforcement officers. Originally, the bill proposed extending the physical fitness test interval from every three years to five years and allowed long-serving officers to request a permanent waiver. However, the amended version focuses on modifying fitness requirements and mandates that agencies implement wellness programs, which is important for ensuring the overall health and support of law enforcement personnel. This shift highlights a broader commitment to officer wellness rather than just physical fitness testing.

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HB 1805-FN - AS INTRODUCED SESSION 26-2418 09/07 HOUSE BILL 1805-FN AN ACT relative to physical fitness performance requirements for certified law enforcement officers.
HB 1805-FN - AS AMENDED BY THE HOUSE 11Mar2026...
0658h SESSION 26-2418 09/07 HOUSE BILL 1805-FN AN ACT relative to physical fitness performance requirements for certified law enforcement officers.
Criminal Justice and Public Safety ───────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────── ANALYSIS This bill extends the time for which law enforcement officers must pass a physical fitness test from every 3 years to every 5 years.
Criminal Justice and Public Safety ───────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────── AMENDED ANALYSIS This bill makes modifications to the physical fitness requirements for law enforcement officers and requires law enforcement agencies to adopt an officer wellness program to support law enforcement officers' wellness.
This bill further allows officers who have served as a certified law enforcement officer for a designated number of years to obtain a permanent physical fitness waiver upon the officer's request.
HB 1805-FN - AS INTRODUCED 26-2418 09/07 STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE In the Year of Our Lord Two Thousand Twenty-Six AN ACT relative to physical fitness performance requirements for certified law enforcement officers.
HB 1805-FN - AS AMENDED BY THE HOUSE 11Mar2026...
0658h 26-2418 09/07 STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE In the Year of Our Lord Two Thousand Twenty-Six AN ACT relative to physical fitness performance requirements for certified law enforcement officers.
Physical Fitness Tests;
Education and Training Required.
Waivers.
Amend RSA 106- L:6 to read as follows:
Amend RSA 106-L:6, IX-X to read as follows:
106-L:6 Education and Training Required.
IX.
I.
Beginning January 1, 2001, the police standards and training council shall require that all certified police officers, state corrections officers, and probation-parole officers, hired after that date, as a condition of continued certification and employment every [3] 5 years pass a physical fitness performance test administered by the hiring authority or the council, according to protocols adopted by the council.
The council shall provide by rule that after one year from the effective date of the rule no person shall be appointed as a police officer, state corrections officer, or state probation-parole officer, except on a temporary or probationary basis, unless such person has satisfactorily completed a preparatory program of police, corrections, or probation-parole training appropriate to such person's position at a school approved by the council.
No such officer who lacks the educational and training qualifications required by this section may have the temporary or probationary employment extended beyond [2 years] 1 year;
however, the council, upon a finding of good cause, may grant an extension not to exceed an additional 6 months.
II.
Every elected police officer shall be required to satisfactorily complete a preparatory program of police training at a school approved by the council.
Any elected officer who has not complied with the educational and training requirements of this paragraph within 6 months after election shall be removed from office by the governing body of the governmental unit by which such officer was elected;
provided, however, that the council may, for such reasons as it may specify in its rules, grant an extension of this time limit not to exceed an additional 6 months.
A governing body which has removed an elected police officer from office under the provisions of this paragraph shall appoint a police officer to fill the vacant office.
The appointed police officer shall continue to hold office until the elected officer who was removed has complied with the educational and training requirements of this paragraph or until an election is held, whichever occurs first.
If any police officer who has failed to comply with the educational and training requirements of this paragraph is reelected, such officer shall not take office without permission of the council.
If a noncomplying police officer who has not obtained the permission of the council to take office is reelected, the governing body of the governmental unit by which such officer was elected shall appoint a police officer to fill the vacant office.
The appointed police officer shall continue to hold office until the elected officer has complied with the educational and training requirements of this paragraph or until an election is held, whichever occurs first.
III.
The council, by rules adopted under RSA 541-A, shall establish the standards for physical and mental fitness under paragraphs [IV-XI] IV through XVIII and shall fix other HB 1805-FN - AS AMENDED BY THE HOUSE - Page 2 - qualifications for the appointment of police officers, state corrections officers, and probation-parole officers, including minimum age, physical and mental standards, citizenship, good moral character, experience, and other such matters [as relate] related to the competence and reliability of persons to assume and discharge the responsibilities of their offices.
The council shall prescribe the means for presenting evidence of the fulfillment of these requirements.
IV.
The council shall require that all uncertified [part-time and full-time] police officers, state corrections officers, and probation-parole officers, prior to assuming their duties, successfully pass a medical examination including a drug screening administered under the direction of a licensed physician according to protocols adopted by the council.
Such examination, when conducted, shall be valid for a period of one year for purposes of application for employment.
V.
The council shall require that all uncertified [part-time and full-time] police officers, state corrections officers, and probation-parole officers, as a condition of admission to a basic or reciprocal certification training program successfully pass a physical fitness performance test administered according to standards adopted by the council.
VI.
The council shall require that all uncertified [part-time and full-time] police officers, state corrections officers, and probation-parole officers, prior to assuming their duties, successfully pass a psychological screening test battery administered under the direction of a licensed psychologist or psychiatrist according to protocols adopted by the council and designed to detect behavioral traits that could adversely affect the person's ability to perform the essential functions of a law enforcement officer.
Such an examination shall be valid for a period of one year from the date of administration for purposes of application for such employment.
VII.
Beginning January 1, [2001] 2027, the police standards and training council shall require that all certified police officers, state corrections officers, and probation-parole officers, hired after that date, as a condition of continued certification and employment furnish the council every 3 years with a certificate from a licensed physician, physician associate, or registered nurse practitioner who has conducted a medical examination of the officer according to protocols adopted by the council, certifying that in the opinion of the examiner the officer is physically capable of [participating in the council's physical fitness test] performing the essential physical functions of a law enforcement officer as defined by the council.
VIII.
Any officer who is unable to meet the medical requirements of paragraph VII may request an additional medical examination by a physician chosen by the council.
If the officer is still unable to meet the standards, such officer's certification [shall be placed in a probationary status for a period of up to 2 years, during which time the officer may request re-examination at any time.
If following the 2-year period the officer is still unable to meet the standards, the officer's certification] shall be suspended until such time as such officer obtains the medical certification required in paragraph VII.
HB 1805-FN - AS AMENDED BY THE HOUSE - Page 3 - IX.
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[Beginning January 1, 2001, the police standards and training council shall require that all certified police officers, state corrections officers, and probation-parole officers, hired after that date, as a condition of continued certification and employment every 3 years pass a physical fitness performance test administered by the hiring authority or the council, according to protocols adopted by the council.
Any officer who has served as a certified law enforcement for 19 years or more shall be granted a permanent physical fitness waiver upon the officer's request.
XI.] In any case where the council has reasonable grounds to doubt that the medical examination performed as required in paragraph VII was performed in accordance with the appropriate protocols, the council may require the officer to submit to a separate examination by a physician selected by the council, at the council's expense.
[XII.] X.
A licensed physician, psychiatrist, psychologist, or person acting under the licensee's supervision, whose examination administered under this chapter results in an employment decision adverse to a police, corrections, or probation-parole officer shall be immune from suit resulting from such examination or decision, providing such examination is conducted in good faith, not in a wanton or reckless manner.
[XIII.] XI.
To the extent required to comply with federal or state law, the council may grant a waiver, with respect to employment at a specific agency, to an officer who cannot meet the standards in paragraphs [VII-X] VII and VIII.
[XIV.] XII.
Nothing in this section shall prevent individual hiring agencies from adopting physical fitness programs or physical performance standards for their officers that are more stringent or frequent than those required in this section.
[XV.] XIII.
Except as provided in paragraph [XI] IX and notwithstanding other provisions of law to the contrary, a hiring authority may assess a testing fee to cover all or part of the cost of any medical or psychological examination in cases where the person has been given a conditional offer of employment.
A hiring authority may also make repayment of a testing fee part of any training or hiring contract that establishes a minimum term of employment for such an officer.
[XVI.] XIV.
The council shall issue a certificate evidencing satisfaction of the requirements of paragraphs I, II, and III to any applicant who presents such evidence as may be required by its rules of satisfactory completion of a program or course of instruction in another jurisdiction equivalent in content and quality to that required by the council for approved police, corrections, or probation-parole, as appropriate, education and training programs in this state.
HB 1805-FN - AS AMENDED BY THE HOUSE - Page 4 - [XVII.
Any special agent of the state liquor commission who has the power to enforce the criminal laws under RSA title XIII and rules of the state liquor commission and who was serving under a permanent appointment prior to August 13, 1985, shall not be required to meet the requirements of paragraphs I and III;
however, any special agent referred to in this paragraph shall complete such limited programs as may be prescribed by rule adopted under RSA 541-A by the police standards and training council under this section within one year of the date the programs are required.
Should any special agent exempted from the requirements of paragraphs I and III of this section by this paragraph terminate employment with the state liquor commission and be hired as a police officer by another police department of the state or a political subdivision thereof, the special agent's certification shall lapse and may be reinstated upon completion of such necessary additional training courses as the police standards and training council may prescribe by rule adopted under RSA 541-A.] XV.
Within 9 months of the effective date of this section, each law enforcement agency shall adopt an officer wellness program to support that agency's law enforcement officers’ wellness throughout their careers.
XVI.
An officer wellness program shall include all of the following:
(a) A written policy that defines physical and mental wellness for the agency’s law enforcement officers and the agency’s internal process to support and promote each aspect of officer wellness.
(b) A defined fitness test, if such test is adopted by the agency, that establishes performance standards and minimum passing scores.
(c) A written policy, or provisions in the applicable collective bargaining agreement, that outlines for its officers the ongoing standards enumerated in this chapter, the expectations of employment under the policy, and the due process rights for its officers.
XVII.
The chief executive officer of every law enforcement agency in the state shall be responsible for the implementation of this section and shall file copies of all written policies required by this section with the police standards and training council.
XVIII.
The council shall create an officer wellness program model policy that may be used by law enforcement agencies to meet the requirements of this section.
LBA 26-2418 12/16/25 HB 1805-FN- FISCAL NOTE AS INTRODUCED AN ACT relative to physical fitness performance requirements for certified law enforcement officers.
LBA 26-2418 03/17/2026 HB 1805-FN- FISCAL NOTE AS AMENDED BY THE HOUSE (AMENDMENT #2026-0658h) AN ACT relativeto physical fitness performance requirements for certified law enforcement officers.
The Office of Legislative Budget Assistant is unable to complete a fiscal note for this bill as it is awaiting information from the Police Standards and Training Council.
Estimated State Impact FY 2026 FY 2027 FY 2028 FY 2029 Revenue $0 $0 $0 $0 Revenue Fund(s) None Expenditures* $0 Indeterminable, Possibly No Impact Funding Source(s) General Fund, Highway Fund, and Various Agency Funds Appropriations* $0 $0 $0 $0 Funding Source(s) None *Expenditure = Cost of bill *Appropriation = Authorized funding to cover cost of bill Estimated Political Subdivision Impact FY 2026 FY 2027 FY 2028 FY 2029 County Revenue $0 $0 $0 $0 County Expenditures $0 Indeterminable, Possibly No Impact Local Revenue $0 $0 $0 $0 Local Expenditures $0 Indeterminable, Possibly No Impact METHODOLOGY:
The Council was initially contacted on 12/19/25 for a fiscal note worksheet, with follow-up contact made on 12/9/25.
This bill eliminates the requirement for incumbent New Hampshire certified police, corrections, and probation/parole officers (PPOs) to undergo fitness testing every three years and to report those results to the Police Standards and Training Council (PSTC).
When completed, the fiscal note will be forwarded to the House Clerk's Office.
Instead, the bill requires that such officers be examined by a health care provider every three years to determine whether they are able to perform the physical functions required of a certified officer, as established by the Council, and that the results of such examinations be reported to the Council.
The bill also requires each law enforcement agency to develop an officer wellness policy and file the policy with the Council.
In addition, the Council is required to develop and make available a model officer wellness policy that agencies may adopt or use as guidance.
The Police Standards and Training Council states this bill has no impact on its budget to implement.
Costs to state, county, and local law enforcement agencies, if any, to comply with this bill are indeterminable and would vary by agency.
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Action History

  1. Inexpedient to Legislate, MA, VV === BILL KILLED ===; 05/07/2026; SJ 11

  2. Committee Report: Inexpedient to Legislate, 05/07/2026, Vote 4-1, CC; SC 17

  3. Hearing: 03/25/2026, Room 103, SH, 09:30 am; SC 11

  4. Introduced 03/12/2026 and Referred to Executive Departments and Administration; SJ 7

  5. Ought to Pass with Amendment 2026-0658h: MA VV 03/11/2026 HJ 7 P. 16

  6. Amendment # 2026-0658h: AA VV 03/11/2026 HJ 7 P. 16

  7. Committee Report: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-0658h 02/13/2026 (Vote 13-0; CC) HC 10 P. 12

  8. Executive Session: 02/13/2026 10:30 am GP 159

  9. Public Hearing: 01/21/2026 10:30 am GP 159

  10. Introduced 01/07/2026 and referred to Criminal Justice and Public Safety HJ 1 P. 37

Sponsors

Sponsorship breakdown

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1 sponsors · 4 co-sponsors · 410 not signed on

Sponsors (1)

Co-sponsors (4)

Not signed on (410)

410 members have not signed on to this bill.

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"Not signed on" means a member has not sponsored or co-sponsored this bill — it does not imply opposition. Members flagged Voted No have a recorded No vote on this bill.

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Frequently asked questions

What does HB 1805 do?
relative to physical fitness performance requirements for certified law enforcement officers.
Who sponsors HB 1805?
HB 1805 is sponsored by Will Darby (Democrat), Douglas Trottier (Republican), Hope Damon (Democrat), Eleana Colby (Democrat), and Tracy Bricchi (Democrat).
What is the current status of HB 1805?
This bill has passed the House. Introduced December 18, 2025. It now moves to the second chamber.
Where can I track HB 1805?
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