Signed by Governor Chris Sununu

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to concur with Senate amendments and pass a bill that bans private prisons, prohibits the use of chokeholds, requires law enforcement officers to report the misconduct of other officers, and establishes a fund for psychological stability during law enforcement certification.

Highlights:

• Amends the waiting period of 10 years, extended from the previous 3 year period, to seek annulment for a misdemeanor domestic violence offense (pg. 2).

• Establishes the addition of a Bail Commissioner to the commission on pretrial related rules and regulations, and specifies the terms upon which a court may determine to release a defendant prior to their trial as released (pg. 2):

• On his or her own recognizance or upon procurement of an unsecured bond;

• On a condition or combination of conditions pursuant to their release;

• Detainment; or

• Temporary detainment to permit revoking the conditional release.

• Prohibits the use of private or for-profit prisons or correctional facilities for the sole purpose of housing inmates (pg. 5).

• Specifies that said private or for-profit institutions may be contracted out on a temporary basis for the housing of displaced prisoners, but may not be extended indefinitely (pg. 5).

• Requires that each Bail Commissioner receive the adequate education to allow them to determine the offender’s indigence regarding bail fees, and to determine what subsequent steps should be taken in pursuit of their findings (pg. 5).

• Requires law enforcement officers that have witnessed misconduct on the part of other law enforcement officers to report said misconduct to the chief law enforcement officer who is to, within 7 days of the notification of misconduct, report to the police standards and training council for review (pg. 7).

• Defines “misconduct” as any type of assault, sexual or otherwise, theft, bribery, fraud, tampering with evidence or witnesses, and any use of chokeholds or other excessive and illegal uses of force (pg. 7).

• Allocates funding for the psychological screenings of all candidates for law enforcement positions (pg. 8).

• Establishes the date on which this act will take effect as September 14, 2020 (pg. 9).

Full Bill Text