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HB 57 · 2025 · House · Criminal Justice and Public Safety Committee

Bail standards and inmate education

AI-generated

(New Title) relative to the standards applicable to bail in criminal matters.

Adds a provision allowing the commissioner of corrections to release a person from state prison to participate in a post-secondary education program in the community to which they have been accepted.AI-generated

Status

Signed into law · July 22, 2025
  1. ✓Introduced
  2. ✓House
  3. ✓Senate
  4. ✓Governor
  5. ✓Law

Analysis

This bill adds a provision for the commissioner of corrections to release a person from state prison for the purpose of participating in a post-secondary education program in the community to which they have been accepted.

From the bill's official ANALYSIS section.

Official record

Bill page — docket & status

gc.nh.gov · the authoritative source

Sponsors

Rep. David MeuseDPrimeDeputy Ranking Member· Criminal Justice and Public Safety

Public testimony

67 signed in online · 16 wrote testimony

93% support6% oppose1% neutral

In their wordsVerbatim, exactly as submitted

“As a 10-years member of the Citizens Advisory Board to the NH Correctional Facility for Women, I can tell you that some of the women have worked very hard to turn their lives around.…”
— Liz Tentarelli, Manchestersupports
“This bill provides an excellent opportunity for an incarcerated person to be reintroduced to the outside community, and to gain the knowledge or certification to reduce recidivism.”
— Susan Richman, Durhamsupports
“The more prepared for life outside of prison someone is, the more likely they are to be successful citizens. Policies like this make us all safer.”
— Jean Lewandowski, Nashuasupports
“This bill would target immigrant communities and erode community trust in law enforcement”
— Regina Bowker, Rochesteropposes
“Why just for participating in certain post-secondary education program? Why not completion of HS degree?”
— Daniel Richardson, Nashuaneutral

Verbatim excerpts of submitted testimony, quoted from the testimony tool.

Read the testimony · as of Aug 12, 2026

Hearings

  • 2025-01-2210:00 amHouse Criminal Justice and Public SafetyLOB 301-303Public hearing
  • 2025-05-151:00 pmSenate JudiciarySH 100Public hearing
  • 2025-05-201:00 pmSenate JudiciarySH 100Public hearing

Legislative history

  1. Jan 8, 2025HouseIntroduced 01/08/2025 and referred to Criminal Justice and Public Safety HJ 2 P. 4
  2. Jan 22, 2025HousePublic Hearing: 01/22/2025 03:00 pm LOB 301-303
  3. Jan 24, 2025House==CANCELLED== Public Hearing: 01/24/2025 10:00 am LOB 202-204
  4. Jan 29, 2025House: Ought to Pass 01/29/2025 (Vote 16-0; CC) HC 11 P. 3
  5. Feb 13, 2025HouseOught to Pass: MA VV 02/13/2025 HJ 5 P. 6
  6. Mar 6, 2025SenIntroduced 03/06/2025 and Referred to Judiciary; SJ 7
  7. May 15, 2025SenHearing: 05/15/2025, Room 100, SH, 01:00 pm; SC 21
  8. May 20, 2025SenHearing: 05/20/2025, Room 100, SH, 01:00 pm, on proposed amendment # 2025-2183s; SC 22
  9. May 22, 2025Sen: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2025-2308s, 05/22/2025, Vote 3-2; SC 22A
  10. May 22, 2025SenCommittee Amendment # 2025-2308s, RC 16Y-8N, AA; 05/22/2025; SJ 14
  11. May 22, 2025SenOught to Pass with Amendment #2025-2308s, RC 16Y-8N, MA; OT3rdg; 05/22/2025; SJ 14
  12. Jun 12, 2025HouseLay HB57 on Table (Rep. Scherr): MF DV 153-190 06/12/2025 HJ 17 P. 6
  13. Jun 12, 2025HouseHouse Concurs with Senate Amendment 2025-2308s (Rep. Roy): MA DV 192-153 06/12/2025 HJ 17 P. 2
  14. Jun 26, 2025SenEnrolled Adopted, VV, (In recess 06/26/2025); SJ 18
  15. Jun 26, 2025HouseEnrolled (in recess of) 06/26/2025 HJ 18 P. 59
  16. Jul 15, 2025HouseSigned by Governor Ayotte 07/15/2025; Chapter 160; eff. 01/11/2026 HJ 18

Coverage

No reporting linked yet.

Documents (PDF)

Bill text & amendments link direct to gc.nh.gov; committee reports stream from the state record.