relative to the standards applicable to bail in criminal matters.

HB 57 modifies bail standards in criminal cases by requiring judges to consider specific public safety factors before denying pretrial release. It directly affects criminal defendants seeking bail and judges making those decisions. The key provision mandates that judges must evaluate whether a defendant poses a specific, credible threat to public safety before denying bail, rather than relying on broader, less defined criteria. The bill was signed into law by Governor Ayotte on July 15, 2025, and takes effect on January 11, 2026.