Concord, NH – Today, the Senate Judiciary Committee heard Senate Bill 36, an act creating a cause of action for certain constitutional deprivations of right. Currently, New Hampshire citizens do not have standing to bring a civil suit against the state for a violation of their rights under the New Hampshire Constitution. Senator Harold French (R-Franklin), prime sponsor of the legislation, issued the following statement:

“New Hampshire citizens should have the ability to bring a lawsuit against the state if their State Constitutional rights are violated, just like current practice at the Federal level,” said Senator Harold French (R-Franklin), prime sponsor of SB 36. “Unfortunately, Granite Staters do not have the means to remedy a violation of their constitutional rights in state court and this legislation would be a long overdue fix to many years of injustice. I am disappointed that the only group who spoke in opposition to the bill opposed it because of added costs to the state and municipalities. In my opinion these small court costs are inconsequential when our constitutional rights are being violated.”