HB 318 Summary

• Establishes that evidence the prosecutor believes will be admissible at trial may be presented at grand jury, overturning State v. Powell decision regarding hearsay evidence requirements.

• Restricts name change petitions for individuals in Department of Corrections custody, on probation/parole, or required to register as sex offenders unless notice is served on relevant agencies, and adds findings requirements that the change is not fraudulent and does not hinder law enforcement.

• Requires judicial officers to issue written findings explaining how bail conditions will ensure appearance and safety, and mandates 48 hours written notice with description of conditions being modified before bail review hearings.

• Amends sentencing law to impose consecutive terms for violations of conditions of release committed two or more times in a single case, and requires notice to crime victims when probationers or parolees file name change petitions.

• Modifies plain error appellate review standards by clarifying that errors are not obvious simply because they are constitutional and requiring party seeking plain error to prove all elements including prejudice.