Bipartisan Bill to Increase Police Accountability and Improve Bail Reform Passes New Hampshire Senat
Contact Name: Sara Persechino
Phone: (603) 271-3479
Email: Sara.Persechino@leg.state.nh.us
CONCORD - Today, the Senate passed HB 1645, 23-1, a bipartisan criminal justice bill, co-sponsored by Senate Judiciary Chair Martha Hennessey (D-Hanover), Senator Melanie Levesque (D-Brookline), and Senator Harold French (R-Franklin). HB 1645 next goes to the House of Representatives for a concurrence vote, which requires a simple majority.
After the vote, Senate Judiciary Chair Martha Hennessey (D-Hanover) and Senator Melanie Levesque (D-Brookline) issued the following statements:
“As a country, we are looking for significant changes to our law enforcement changes and policy from our lawmakers,” said Senator Martha Hennessey (D-Hanover). “Some of the Legislature’s most important work this session have been criminal justice reforms including improvements to our bail reform statute, increasing the safety of New Hampshire’s minors, and strengthening accountability for perpetrators of domestic violence. Making New Hampshire a safer place to live, where transparency and justice are paramount, takes bipartisanship. I am proud of the work done by the Judiciary committee in advance of this session and the collaboration of the entire Senate today to move these important measures forward.
Senator Melanie Levesque (D-Brookline) added, “The nation’s eyes are on our criminal justice system following the deaths of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery, and the subsequent protests in response. The New Hampshire Legislature is working to take thoughtful, concrete steps to improve our criminal justice system including mandating that police report misconduct by fellow police officers and increasing access to psychological screening before officers assume duties. We must look to the country as a whole and take steps to break down systemic racism that allow New Hampshire residents to feel safe -- including a codified prohibition of chokeholds. Though in New Hampshire, Police Standards and Training does not train recruits on chokehold techniques and many police departments have reported that it is not in their procedures, we know that codifying that practice into state law is a critical step towards our state’s collective security. This conversation has just begun and will continue for years to come. I am proud of the collaboration among my Senate colleagues and stakeholders - including the NH Police Association - as we take these first steps and I look forward to our continued work in the next biennium.”
###