The Issue

Our children deserve better. Our communities deserve better. And it is time for New Hampshire to take action.

Every parent should be able to send their child to school, take them to a playground, bring them to a public pool, or let them play at their neighborhood park without having to worry about whether someone convicted of a sexual offense against a child is living nearby or standing in the same place as their children.

Yet in New Hampshire, there is currently no comprehensive statewide law establishing reasonable residency restrictions or child-safety zones for individuals required to register because of an offense against a child.

That means a registered offender against children may, depending on the circumstances, be able to live near a school, playground, park, childcare facility, or public pool  and may also be able to be physically present in these public spaces where our children gather.

We believe that needs to change.

We are asking the New Hampshire Legislature to establish clear, statewide protections that create reasonable boundaries around both where qualifying registered offenders against children may establish a residence and where they may be present around designated child-centered locations.

These protections should include places such as:

Schools and school grounds
Licensed childcare facilities
Playgrounds
Public parks and recreation areas
Public pools and aquatic facilities
Other designated locations where children regularly gather
This is not a call for harassment, vigilantism, or taking the law into our own hands. It is a call for reasonable legislation, consistent statewide standards, and stronger protections for children.

New Hampshire has considered residency restrictions before. In 2007, legislation was introduced that would have prohibited people required to register under RSA 651-B from residing within 1,000 feet of schools, childcare facilities, playgrounds, parks, child-oriented organizations, and other places where minors regularly congregate.

Nearly 20 years later, we are still asking the same question: Why hasn’t New Hampshire established meaningful statewide protections?

We cannot eliminate every risk our children face. But we can choose to take reasonable steps to reduce risks when we have the opportunity to do so.

A child’s safety should not depend on their ZIP code.

Parents should not have to discover after the fact that someone convicted of a sexual offense against a child is living directly across from their child’s school or playground.

They should not have to wonder who may be standing nearby while their children swim at a public pool, play at a park, or participate in community activities.

Our children should be able to enjoy their childhood. Parents should be able to let them do so without carrying this additional fear.

This petition is our opportunity to make our voices heard.

We are asking New Hampshire parents, grandparents, families, educators, and concerned residents to stand together and tell our elected representatives:

Enough is enough.

We want reasonable, meaningful, statewide protections for our children.

We want our lawmakers to bring this issue forward.

We want New Hampshire to establish clear standards that prioritize children’s safety in the places where they live, learn, play, and gather.

One signature may feel small. Thousands of New Hampshire voices are not.

If you believe our children deserve stronger protections, please sign this petition.

Then share it with your family, your friends, your neighbors, your school community, and anyone else who believes protecting children should be a priority.

Let’s show our legislators that New Hampshire families are paying attention.

Let’s show them that we care.

Let’s show them that we are willing to stand together and ask for change.

Stand up for our children.
Stand up for our communities.
Stand up for New Hampshire.

Sign. Share. Speak up.

Enough is enough. Let’s protect our children.