The bill, HB 592-FN, proposes significant amendments to the administration of bail and repeals the establishment of magistrates within the judicial system. It removes all references to magistrates, including the elimination of a judicial training coordinator position responsible for overseeing training for judges, bail commissioners, and court staff. The bill modifies the requirements for initial judicial training and continuing education, ensuring that judges and nonjudicial employees complete necessary training programs. Additionally, it revises the procedures for the detention and release of individuals arrested for offenses, extending the timeframe for bringing individuals before a court from 24 hours to 36 hours post-arrest, and emphasizes personal recognizance or unsecured bonds for release pending trial.

Key provisions of the bill include the establishment of a rebuttable presumption that alleged victims are not required to testify at bail hearings, the allowance of video conferencing for witness testimony, and mandatory detention without bail for individuals charged with violating protective orders. The bill also clarifies that no-contact provisions in bail orders do not prevent defendants' counsel from contacting protected individuals' counsel. Furthermore, it mandates that courts provide a clear written statement of all conditions of release in bail orders and outlines the rights of detained individuals, including the right to a hearing within 36 hours. The act is set to take effect 180 days after passage, on September 21, 2025.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 490-K:1, 594:20-a, 597:6-e, 597:7-a
As Amended by the House: 490-K:1, 594:20-a, 597:6-e, 597:7-a
Version adopted by both bodies: 490-K:1, 594:20-a, 597:6-e, 597:7-a
CHAPTERED FINAL VERSION: 490-K:1, 594:20-a, 597:6-, 597:7-a