NH HB1509

Creates a new exception to judicial immunity in New Hampshire, allowing civil negligence lawsuits against judges who make bail decisions under RSA 597

Judges can be held liable when they release a defendant charged with domestic violence (RSA 631:2-b), any felony, or any offense committed while already out on bail, and that defendant subsequently commits a crime or intentional tort causing physical or financial injury to another person

Victims who suffer injury, or the estate/next of kin of deceased victims, may bring civil actions against the judge who made the release decision

Courts are prohibited from applying judicial immunity doctrine when the specified conditions are met

Effective date of January 1, 2027, with estimated fiscal impact of $0 to $250,000 annually depending on the number of civil actions filed