Governor Hassan's Statement on Final Passage of Bill to Extend Public Safety Protections to Federal Border Patrol Agents

Press Release

After final passage by the New Hampshire House of Representatives of House Bill 1298, which enacts protections for federal border patrol agents who support local and state law enforcement in the North Country, Governor Maggie Hassan issued the following statement:

"Our local and state law enforcement officers in the North Country face unique challenges as they work to keep the North Country safe, including rugged, sparsely populated terrain. Their duties also are impacted by their proximity to the Canadian border, and they are frequently assisted by federal border patrol agents.

"I am pleased that the legislature has recognized the importance of extending our public safety protections to these border patrol agents so that they may continue to assist our officers in protecting the people of our state. I look forward to signing this important legislation and furthering our relationship with the federal agents who protect our Northern border."

Following a meeting with the Coos County Police Chiefs in March, Governor Hassan worked with legislators and the North Country law enforcement community to revive legislation enacting these protections, which had originally been included in Senate Bill 382.

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