Much is said and known about federal government overreach. But unfortunately, very few understand that this overreach is out of control in many states as well.
In New Hampshire, supposedly the “Live Free or Die” state, there is an effort to change current law regarding child endangerment to make it easier for law enforcement to engage in what really amounts to witch hunts. Currently, the law states that if a caregiver of a child allows a child to engage in activities that could lead to bodily injury or death, then that caregiver is guilty of child endangerment if it could be shown that they purposely did something to create that injury or death. In other words, the current law states that the state must prove that the accused was purposely trying to injure or kill a child. Such a presumption of innocence allows children to engage in activities with parents and guardians without the state prejudging the motives of the caregiver.
Enter Senate Bill 23, “expanding the crime of endangering the welfare of a child.”[1]
SB 23 would do two key things. First, Sec. IVa would expand the definition of endangering a child to a person who would engage in conduct that places a child under 18 in danger of serious bodily injury or death. In other words, allowing a child to engage in what would be seen as risky activities. Second, and more egregiously, Sec. I would be amended to drop the word “purposely” from the current law. Both would work in tandem to place nearly any adult in jeopardy of being accused of child endangerment.
So, if a parent takes the child hiking in the mountains, it could be assessed by some that this placed a child at risk of serious injury or death. Should a parent allow a 17-year-old to drive a car after dark, this too could be assessed by some to create conditions for child endangerment. If a caregiver encourages their child to engage in teen motocross sports or dirt bike riding, this could be interpreted as child endangerment. And more seriously for constitutional issues like the right to keep and bear arms, if you carry concealed around children, or teach your children how to handle firearms, you can be easily accused of child endangerment.
Interestingly, when testimony was given regarding SB 23, the lead sponsor, leftist Sen. Pat Long (D-District 20)[2] admitted that the change to the law would make it broad and vague, and thus open to judicial discretion. Two police officers, Nicholas Georgoulis from Manchester and Sergeant Ryan Rooney from Nashua, also admitted a desire for broader discretion. Naturally, to make their point, both used extreme examples of the horrors of child endangerment.[3] Interestingly, they both wore their badges, implying official endorsement of the bill by the authorities in their respective cities.[4]
This is the pattern with leftist fascists. They tug emotional heart strings by talking about “caring for children,” even as they expand the net of state power to destroy the lives of adults who care for children. In addition, they take steps to imply official support when they call for government expansion of power.
As for the examples raised by these two shining knights of keepers of the peace, it didn’t matter that they openly admitted that the current law already handled the cases they raised. That is obviously not enough for these leftists who wish to enlarge government power at your expense. They want an expanded law, allowing them to harass more people, making it easier to arrest them and drag them into court. Even if found innocent, many of these people will be emotionally and financially destroyed in the process, even as the police demand more funds because of their “expanded caseload.”
While SB 23 managed to sneak through almost unnoticed, a group of freedom loving activists rallied at the last minute, getting the bill killed in the New Hampshire House.
But leftist fascists don’t rest… not at all. Pulling strings behind the scenes, the New Hampshire State Senate attached the text of SB 23 to the totally unrelated HB 143.[5] They are going to again try to sneak this through by pushing for a Committee of Conference to snooker the House into accepting the new bill.
Should this mangled HB143/SB23 hybrid get passed in New Hampshire, it will be one more step in the war the state wages on the law abiding, all in the name of “protecting children.”
This is what is happening in just one state, with just one piece of legislation.
Image the types of lawfare being waged and contemplated in every other state in the Union.
Russ Rodgers has several books published on Amazon.
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[1] https://gc.nh.gov/bill_status/legacy/bs2016/billText.aspx?sy=2025&id=1062&txtFormat=html
[2] The lead photo is a screenshot of Sen. Long testifying before the committee. The video is open public record of the state of New Hampshire.
[3] Both individuals are on public record in taped testimony before the New Hampshire House Children and Family Law Committee, 8 Apr. 2025.
[4] This is akin to a member of the armed forces testifying in support of a prolife bill while wearing their uniform. This would not be allowed by DOD regulations.
[5] https://gc.nh.gov/bill_status/legacy/bs2016/billText.aspx?sy=2025&id=339&txtFormat=pdf&v=current. The SB 23 material is found starting on page 3, line 21. An exemption for “athletic activities” was added to the new bill, but there is no legal definition regarding what constitutes “athletic activities.” The general legal understanding is that such are officially sanctioned activities, and therefore none of the actions of parents engaging in any athletic activities with their children would be exempt.