Carson commends responsible move to study needle exchange programs

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CarsonConcord, NH – Today, the Senate passed a bill, HB 1681, which would establish a commission to study the disposal and exchange of hypodermic needles containing residual amounts of controlled substances.

Senator Sharon Carson (R-Londonderry) issued a statement following the vote.

“The heroin crisis continues to be a major concern for the state and we are working to combat this issue from every angle possible. The bill we passed today is a responsible step towards finding a solution to lessen the occurrence of addicts sharing or using dirty needles, and also addresses the concerns raised of there being few parameters or guidelines established for proper disposal of left-over drugs in used needles.”

“Today’s compromise is important because it bring all the stakeholders together so future legislation avoids unintended consequences. This bill creates a forum where all parties involved can work to include necessary guidelines, but also protects those collecting needles with small amounts of illegal substances and protecting users from contracting serious diseases.”

Carson, Forrester praise solution increasing law enforcement protections in NH North Country

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sharon_bill_hartConcord, NH – The Senate will take up legislation tomorrow that would provide legal protections to border patrol agents when assisting state troopers and local law enforcement in New Hampshire.

Senator Sharon Carson (R-Londonderry) and Senator Jeanie Forrester (R-Meredith) issued statements in advance of the Senate’s vote.

“With the hard work and dedication of my colleague, Senator Jeanie Forrester, we found a workable solution allowing border patrol agents to provide much needed assistance to local law enforcement in the North Country,” said Senator Sharon Carson (R-Londonderry). “The amendment we will take up tomorrow on the Senate floor came together because Senator Forrester and I recognized that when a citizen needs help from law enforcement, they don’t care which agency answers the call, they simply need help, but should be protected under our state law.”

“Having had first-hand experience in a North Country ride along with law enforcement, I understand the need for this critical assistance in the northernmost part of the state. We took concerted steps to make sure this bill would make law enforcement professionals available, regardless of agency, to address emergencies across the expansive New Hampshire North Country while significantly cutting response times which regularly take more than an hour,” said Senator Jeanie Forrester (R-Meredith)

“This bill gives border patrol officers the same legal protections as New Hampshire officers, equipping them to assist state troopers and local law enforcement when making arrests and carrying out other enforcement duties. This bill represents the right way to address this issue and through focused consideration of our options, we will provide long-needed support to law enforcement in the North Country,” added Forrester. “I thank Senator Carson for her hard work and leadership on this important issue.”

Bill establishing penalties for human trafficking passes NH Senate

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Sharon_atsenatedeskConcord, NH -Today, the Senate passed HB 1628, which makes it a crime for a person to engage in sexual contact with a person under the age of 18 in New Hampshire.

Senator Sharon Carson (R-Londonderry) issued a statement following the Senate vote.

“One of the most important duties of government is to protect our citizens and the bill passed by the Senate today addresses the gap that has existed in our state’s ability to prosecute human trafficking by establishing felony convictions for individuals who pay for sexual activities with underage persons.”

“Human trafficking has firmly planted roots right here in New Hampshire, and testimony shared with the committee explained that one of the first cases of sex trafficking to be charged federally came out of Litchfield. This issue is prevalent in our state and nationwide, and by strengthening the ability to prosecute would-be offenders, we are acting to eliminate the horrific reality of human trafficking taking place right here in New Hampshire.”

“As legislators, it is our duty to take common sense steps like this bill does, to prevent these crimes from being perpetuated by holding the individuals involved accountable for their actions and I thank the Senate for their support of this measure.”

Carson praises passage of bill penalizing public distribution of private images

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Sharon_atsenatedeskConcord, NH -The Senate today passed a bill, SB 465, establishing a penalty for the dissemination of private sexual images without prior consent.

Senator Sharon Carson (R-Londonderry) issued a statement upon passage of the bill.

“This legislation serves to protect individuals and their right to privacy by establishing a penalty for those using or distributing private, sexually explicit images, without consent with the intent to harass or harm the subject in those images.”

“There have been more cases of this nature because of technological advances and prior to this legislation, no clear way to prosecute individuals who are intentionally causing harm by posting or sharing explicit images without permission on websites or elsewhere. This legislation helps New Hampshire crack down on revenge porn, providing law enforcement the ability to press charges, and limiting the improper distribution of private images altogether.”

Carson recognized for legislation helping NH Veterans

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Sharon_atsenatedeskConcord, NH – Senator Sharon Carson was recently presented with a certificate of appreciation on behalf of the U.S. Department of Defense recognizing her work on SB 55, allowing private employers to grant preference to veterans when making employment decisions, which was signed into law in 2015.

“I truly appreciate being recognized by the U.S. Department of Defense for my work on SB 55, allowing private employers to give preference to veterans when hiring,” said Senator Sharon Carson (R-Londonderry).

“As a veteran of the U.S. Army Reserve and now a State Senator, I feel a responsibility to do what I can to help Veterans living in our communities. I am proud to work on legislation that addresses veteran’s issues, like ensuring that they have opportunities to work and making sure our veterans and their families receive the benefits they are entitled to.

“Protecting and ensuring that our veterans have a high quality of life continues to be one of my biggest priorities in the Senate and I look forward to continuing to serve them in the upcoming year.”