NH House Passes SB 314, Improvements to NH Bail Reform Initiative
May 8, 2019
Contact Name: Sara Persechino
Phone: (603) 271-3479
Email: Sara.Persechino@leg.state.nh.us
CONCORD—Today, the New Hampshire House of Representatives passed SB 314, relative to the release of a defendant pending trial. SB 314 passed the Senate in March and represents the work of advocates and stakeholders to make improvements on the bail reform initiative passed in 2018, including improving the notification system for court hearings, establishing additional penalties for missing court hearings, and clarifying that all relevant factors associated with the issue of a dangerous determination shall be considered by the judge when making bail decisions.
Prime sponsor Senator Martha Hennessey (D-Hanover) released the following statement after the vote:
“Last year’s bipartisan bail reform bill set about to accomplish three goals—to prevent people from being detained pre-trial simply because they cannot afford cash bail, to expand prosecutors’ ability to detain people pre-trial without bail if they are a danger to themselves or others, and protect property tax payers from needlessly footing the bill for people in prison pre-trial who are not a danger. I appreciate the bipartisan work on SB 314, which makes important improvements to this reform while protecting public safety, taxpayers, and individual liberty.”
###