1 Bail and Recognizances; Release of a Defendant Pending Trial. Amend RSA 597:2, I-III(a) to read as follows:

I. Except as provided in paragraph VI, upon the appearance before the court of a person charged with an offense, the court shall issue an order that, pending arraignment or trial, the person be:

(a) Released on his or her personal recognizance or upon execution of an unsecured appearance bond, pursuant to the provisions of paragraph III;

(b) Released on a condition or combination of conditions pursuant to the provisions of paragraph III;

(c) Detained; or

(d) Temporarily detained to permit revocation of conditional release pursuant to the provisions of paragraph VIII.

II. Except as provided in RSA 597:1-d, a person charged with a probation violation shall be entitled to a bail hearing. The court shall issue an order that, pending a probation violation hearing, the person be:

(a) Released on his or her personal recognizance or upon execution of an unsecured appearance bond, pursuant to the provisions of paragraph III;

(b) Released on a condition or combination of conditions pursuant to the provisions of paragraph III; or

(c) Detained.

III. When considering whether to release or detain a person, the court shall consider the following issues:

(a) Safety of the public or the defendant.

If a person is charged with any criminal offense, an offense listed in RSA 173-B:1, I, or a violation of a protective order under RSA 458:16, III, or after arraignment, is charged with a violation of a protective order issued under RSA 173-B, the court may order preventive detention without bail, or, in the alternative, may order restrictive conditions including but not limited to electronic monitoring and supervision, only if the court determines by clear and convincing evidence that release will endanger the safety of that person or the public. In determining whether release will endanger the safety of that person or the public, the court may consider all relevant factors presented pursuant to paragraph IV.

2 Effective Date. This act shall take effect January 1, 2024.

1 Bail and Recognizances; Release of a Defendant Pending Trial. Amend RSA 597:2, I-III(a) to read as follows:

I. Except as provided in paragraph III or VI, upon the appearance before the court of a person charged with an offense, the court shall issue an order that, pending arraignment or trial, the person be:

(a) Released on his or her personal recognizance or upon execution of an unsecured appearance bond, pursuant to the provisions of paragraph III;

(b) Released on a condition or combination of conditions pursuant to the provisions of paragraph III;

(c) Detained; or

(d) Temporarily detained to permit revocation of conditional release pursuant to the provisions of paragraph VIII.

II. Except as provided in RSA 597:1-d, a person charged with a probation violation shall be entitled to a bail hearing. The court shall issue an order that, pending a probation violation hearing, the person be:

(a) Released on his or her personal recognizance or upon execution of an unsecured appearance bond, pursuant to the provisions of paragraph III;

(b) Released on a condition or combination of conditions pursuant to the provisions of paragraph III; or

(c) Detained.

III. When considering whether to release or detain a person, the court and, if applicable, a bail commissioner shall consider the following issues:

(a) Safety of the public or the defendant.

(1) Except as provided in RSA 597:1-c, a person who is charged with homicide under RSA 630; first degree assault under RSA 631:1; second degree assault under RSA 631:2; domestic violence under RSA 631:2-b; aggravated felonious sexual assault under RSA 632-A:2; felonious sexual assault under RSA 632-A:3; kidnapping under RSA 633:1; stalking under RSA 633:3-a; trafficking in persons under RSA 633:7; robbery under RSA 636:1, III; possession, manufacture, or distribution of child sexual abuse images under RSA 649-A; or computer pornography and child exploitation under RSA 649-B; shall not be brought before a bail commissioner and shall, upon arrest, be detained pending arraignment before the court. Arraignment shall occur no later than 24 hours after the arrest, Saturdays, Sundays, and legal holidays excluded, or no later than 36 hours after arrest if arrested between 8:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. and the person's attorney is unable to attend an arraignment on the same day, Saturdays, Sundays, and legal holidays excluded. At the person's appearance before the court, the court shall order that the person be detained pending trial if the court determines by clear and convincing evidence that release of the person is a danger to the public or themselves. 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 IV. If the court does not find by clear and convincing evidence that the person must be detained, the court shall order the person released pursuant to paragraph I(a) or paragraph I(b), or, if applicable, temporarily detained pursuant to paragraph I(d).

(2) If a person is charged with any other criminal offense, an offense listed in RSA 173-B:1, I, or a violation of a protective order under RSA 458:16, III, or after arraignment, is charged with a violation of a protective order issued under RSA 173-B, the court may order preventive detention without bail, or, in the alternative, may order restrictive conditions including but not limited to electronic monitoring and supervision, only if the court determines by clear and convincing evidence that release will endanger the safety of that person or the public. In determining whether release will endanger the safety of that person or the public, the court may consider all relevant factors presented pursuant to paragraph IV.

2 Effective Date. This act shall take effect January 1, 2024.