HB 1645-FN (2020): relative to superior court judgments; adding a bail commissioner to the commission on pretrial detention, pretrial scheduling, and pretrial services and the release of a defendant pending trial; prison privatization; misdemeanor domestic violence offenses; immunity from arrest or prosecution for certain alcoholic beverage violations; police officers reporting misconduct; criminal mischief; screening for all law enforcement officers for psychological stability prior to assuming their duties as certified officers; and prohibiting the use of chokeholds by law enforcement officers.

Cite this page

Granite Record indexes the General Court’s record; it is not that record. Where a citation allows only one source, cite the General Court — every page here links to what it is drawn from. The date below is the day the page was read.

MLA: “HB 1645-FN (2020): relative to superior court judgments; adding a bail commissioner to the commission on pretrial detention, pretrial scheduling, and pretrial services and the release of a defendant pending trial; prison privatization; misdemeanor domestic violence offenses; immunity from arrest or prosecution for certain alcoholic beverage violations; police officers reporting misconduct; criminal mischief; screening for all law enforcement officers for psychological stability prior to assuming their duties as certified officers; and prohibiting the use of chokeholds by law enforcement officers.” Granite Record, https://graniterecord.org/bill/2020/hb1645. Accessed 24 Oct. 2026.
APA: Granite Record. (n.d.). HB 1645-FN (2020): relative to superior court judgments; adding a bail commissioner to the commission on pretrial detention, pretrial scheduling, and pretrial services and the release of a defendant pending trial; prison privatization; misdemeanor domestic violence offenses; immunity from arrest or prosecution for certain alcoholic beverage violations; police officers reporting misconduct; criminal mischief; screening for all law enforcement officers for psychological stability prior to assuming their duties as certified officers; and prohibiting the use of chokeholds by law enforcement officers. Retrieved 24 Oct. 2026, from https://graniterecord.org/bill/2020/hb1645
Chicago: Granite Record. “HB 1645-FN (2020): relative to superior court judgments; adding a bail commissioner to the commission on pretrial detention, pretrial scheduling, and pretrial services and the release of a defendant pending trial; prison privatization; misdemeanor domestic violence offenses; immunity from arrest or prosecution for certain alcoholic beverage violations; police officers reporting misconduct; criminal mischief; screening for all law enforcement officers for psychological stability prior to assuming their duties as certified officers; and prohibiting the use of chokeholds by law enforcement officers.” Accessed 24 Oct. 2026. https://graniterecord.org/bill/2020/hb1645.
BibTeX: @misc{bill-2020-hb1645, title = {HB 1645-FN (2020): relative to superior court judgments; adding a bail commissioner to the commission on pretrial detention, pretrial scheduling, and pretrial services and the release of a defendant pending trial; prison privatization; misdemeanor domestic violence offenses; immunity from arrest or prosecution for certain alcoholic beverage violations; police officers reporting misconduct; criminal mischief; screening for all law enforcement officers for psychological stability prior to assuming their duties as certified officers; and prohibiting the use of chokeholds by law enforcement officers.}, howpublished = {Granite Record}, url = {https://graniterecord.org/bill/2020/hb1645}, note = {Accessed 24 Oct. 2026} }

HB 1645-FN (2020)

relative to superior court judgments; adding a bail commissioner to the commission on pretrial detention, pretrial scheduling, and pretrial services and the release of a defendant pending trial; prison privatization; misdemeanor domestic violence offenses; immunity from arrest or prosecution for certain alcoholic beverage violations; police officers reporting misconduct; criminal mischief; screening for all law enforcement officers for psychological stability prior to assuming their duties as certified officers; and prohibiting the use of chokeholds by law enforcement officers.

Status: Signed into law
Term: 2019-2020
House committee: Criminal Justice and Public Safety
Senate committee: Judiciary
Subject: Crimes, Criminal Procedure and Corrections
Chapter law: 12

The Story

It was introduced on January 8, 2020 and referred to the House Criminal Justice and Public Safety committee. The committee held a public hearing on March 3, 2020. The committee met in executive session on March 3, 2020 and March 4, 2020. The committee voted 18–2 to recommend that the House pass it, and the report was placed on the regular calendar. On March 11, 2020 the House voted to pass it on a voice vote. It crossed to the Senate on March 12, 2020 and was referred to the Senate Judiciary committee. The committee held a public hearing on June 12, 2020. The committee recommended that the Senate pass it with changes (amendment 2020-1492s). The committee's amendment (2020-1492s) was adopted on a voice vote on June 16, 2020, changing the text of the bill. On June 16, 2020 the Senate voted to pass it with changes and ordered it to a third reading. A floor amendment (2020-1525s), offered by Sen. Hennessey, was adopted on a voice vote on June 16, 2020, changing the text of the bill. On June 30, 2020 the House adopted “House Concurs with Senate Amendment” on a roll call 255–74, on a motion by Rep. Cushing. The bill was enrolled on July 10, 2020 — the final check of the text before it goes to the governor. The governor signed it on July 16, 2020, making it Chapter 12 of the session laws.

Hearings and Sessions

March 3, 2020, 10:00 AM: public hearing, House Criminal Justice and Public Safety, LOB 204
March 3, 2020, 1:00 PM: executive session, House Criminal Justice and Public Safety, LOB 204
March 4, 2020, 10:00 AM: executive session, House Criminal Justice and Public Safety, LOB 204
June 12, 2020, 1:35 PM: hearing, Senate Judiciary

Votes

March 11, 2020, House: Ought to Pass — voice vote, passed
June 16, 2020, Senate: Ought to Pass with Amendment — yeas 23, nays 1, passed
July 1, 2020, House: Concur — yeas 255, nays 74, passed

The Docket

January 8, 2020: Introduced 01/08/2020 and referred to Criminal Justice and Public Safety
March 3, 2020: Public Hearing: 03/03/2020 10:00 am LOB 204
March 3, 2020: Executive Session: 03/03/2020 01:00 pm LOB 204
March 4, 2020: Executive Session: 03/04/2020 10:00 am LOB 204 (if necessary)
March 11, 2020: Committee Report: Ought to Pass for 03/11/2020 (Vote 18-2; RC)
March 11, 2020: Ought to Pass : MA VV 03/11/2020
March 12, 2020: Introduced 03/12/2020 and Referred to Judiciary
June 5, 2020: Remote Hearing: 06/12/2020, 01:40 pm, on proposed amendment #2020-1380s
June 5, 2020: Committee members will receive secure Zoom invitations via email
June 5, 2020: Members of the public may attend using the following links:
June 5, 2020: 1. To sign-in and/or speak in support or opposition, please register in advance by using this link: https://www.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_06XzVPTbTGKeSq6Wji SJbw
June 5, 2020: 2. To submit your testimony to the committee, please send all documents via email to [email protected]
June 5, 2020: 3. To listen via telephone: Dial(for higher quality, dial a number based on your current location): 1-301-715-8592, or 1-312-626-6799 or 1-929-205-6099, or 1-253-215-8782, or 1-346-248-7799, or 1-669-900-6833
June 5, 2020: 4. Or iPhone one-tap: 13126266799,,92147340764# or 19292056099,,92147340764#
June 5, 2020: 5. Webinar ID: 921 4734 0764
June 5, 2020: 6. To view/listen to this hearing on YouTube, use this link: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCjBZdtrjRnQdmg-2MPMiWrA
June 5, 2020: The following email will be monitored throughout the meeting by someone who can assist with and alert the committee to any technical issues: [email protected] or call (603-271-3043)
June 12, 2020: Remote Hearing: 06/12/2020, 01:35 pm
June 16, 2020: Committee Report: Ought to Pass with Amendment #2020-1492s , 06/16/2020
June 16, 2020: Committee Amendment #2020-1492s , AA, VV; 06/16/2020
June 16, 2020: Ought to Pass with Amendment 2020-1492s, RC 23Y-1N, MA; OT3rdg; 06/16/2020
June 16, 2020: Sen. Hennessey Floor Amendment #2020-1525s , AA, VV; 06/16/2020
June 30, 2020: House Concurs with Senate Amendment (Rep. Cushing): MA RC 255-74 06/30/2020
June 30, 2020: Enrolled 06/30/2020
July 10, 2020: Enrolled (In recess 06/29/2020)
July 16, 2020: Signed by Governor Sununu 07/16/2020; Chapter 12; I. Sec. 16-19 Eff: 01/01/2021 II. Sec. 1/4-6/15 and 20-23 Eff: 09/14/2020 III. Rem. Eff: 07/16/2020

Laws It Would Change

Related Bills

HB 1351 (2020): relative to immunity from arrest or prosecution for certain alcoholic beverage violations for a person under 21 years of age who reports a situation involving risk of alcohol overdose.
HB 1272 (2020): prohibiting prison privatization.
HB 1174 (2020): requiring screening for all law enforcement officers for psychological stability prior to assuming their duties as certified officers.
SB 722 (2020): relative to the payment and education of bail commissioners, relative to criteria for determining an offender's indigence, and establishing a committee to study providing remote access to a bail commissioner's services.
HB 1468 (2020): relative to criminal mischief.
SB 755 (2020): relative to superior court judgments in actions against the state.