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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.

In the bill's words

Quoted verbatim from the bill as enacted. Passages chosen from the operative text.Computed by this site

“Arraignment shall occur no later than 36 hours after the arrest, excluding weekends and holidays.”
Section 160:1
“At the person's appearance before the court, the court shall order that the person be detained pending trial if the court determines by a finding of probable cause that release of the person is a danger to that person or the public.”
Section 160:1
“In determining whether release will endanger the safety of that person or the public, the court may consider all relevant and material factors presented pursuant to paragraph VI.”
Section 160:1
“If the court does not find probable cause that the person must be detained, the court shall order the person released pursuant to subparagraph I(b), or, if applicable, temporarily detained pursuant to subparagraph I(d).”
Section 160:1

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

Votes

yeanay
Starting text: Bill as introduced
  • Jan 29, 2025HouseCommittee report· consent calendar: Ought to Pass16–0
    Overall
    100% yea
  • Feb 13, 2025HouseVoice voteOught to Passadopted
  • May 22, 2025SenateCommittee report: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2025-2308s3–2
    Overall
    60% yea
  • May 22, 2025SenateRoll callCommittee amendment 2025-2308sAdopted16–8How they voted
    Overall
    67% yea
    Party-line vote
    Republicans
    16–0100% yea
    Democrats
    0–80% yea
  • May 22, 2025SenateRoll callOught to Pass with Amendment #2025-2308sAdopted16–8How they voted
    Overall
    67% yea
    Party-line vote
    Republicans
    16–0100% yea
    Democrats
    0–80% yea
    Resulting text: Bill as amended by the Senate
  • Jun 12, 2025HouseDivisionLay HB57 on Table (Rep. Scherr)Failed153–190
    Overall
    45% yea
  • Jun 12, 2025HouseDivisionHouse Concurs with Senate Amendment 2025-2308s (Rep. Roy)Adopted192–153
    Overall
    56% yea
    Resulting text: Bill as adopted by both chambers
  • Jun 26, 2025SenateVoice voteEnrolledadopted

Hearings and debates

  • Jan 22, 2025Public hearingHouse Criminal Justice and Public Safety5:42:56–5:43:2024slocated in the stream transcriptPublic Hearing
  • Feb 13, 2025Floor debateHouse floorWatchnot located in the transcript — opens the full streamOught to Pass — adopted, voice vote
  • May 15, 2025Public hearingSenate JudiciaryWatchnot located in the transcript — opens the full streamHearing
  • May 20, 2025Public hearingSenate Judiciary40:27–41:341m 7slocated in the stream transcriptHearing
  • May 22, 2025Floor debateSenate floor3:18:40–3:21:012m 21slocated in the stream transcriptCommittee Report: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2025-2308s; Ought to Pass with Amendment #2025-2308s — adopted, roll call 16-8; Committee Amendment # 2025-2308s — adopted, roll call 16-8
  • Jun 12, 2025Floor debateHouse floor16:36–25:068m 30slocated in the stream transcriptHouse Concurs with Senate Amendment 2025-2308s (Rep. Roy) — adopted, division 192-153; Lay HB57 on Table (Rep. Scherr) — failed, division 153-190
  • Jun 26, 2025Floor debateSenate floorWatchnot located in the transcript — opens the full streamEnrolled Adopted — voice vote

Timestamps locate where this bill is taken up in the chamber's YouTube stream.

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.