CONCORD, NEW HAMPSHIRE – February 24, the New Hampshire House of Representatives voted 199 – 156 to support HB 498, legislation that creates a mechanism to pay bail commissioners in New Hampshire. Representative David Meuse (D-Portsmouth) released the following statement:
“This legislation is a direct product of the work of the bipartisan committee to study the payment of bail commissioners in New Hampshire. Bail commissioners work tirelessly to aid our criminal justice system, appearing at all hours of the day and night and in all weather conditions to do their job, often without a reliable assurance of payment. This legislation will require the court system to pay the bail commissioners fee if the offender is indigent and cannot afford it, ensuring that bail commissioners expect a payment each time they show up to do their job. This bill is an important measure in increasing equity in our criminal justice system from beginning to end.”