2019 Senate Bill 304

Pre-trial bail reform package

Introduced in the Senate

May 7, 2019

Introduced by Sen. Wayne Schmidt (R-37)

To prohibit criminal courts from basing the amount of bail a defendant must pay on a pre-established schedule, such as a schedule of bond amounts fixed according to the nature of the charge. If an accused person is not released on his or her personal recognizance, then courts would have to limit the conditions for release to the least onerous that “reasonably ensure the appearance of the defendant and the safety of each alleged victim, other persons, and the community.” Courts would have to provide a financial disclosure form to defendants before arraignment. See also Senate Bills 210, 211 and 215, and House Bills 4351 to 4360.

Referred to the Committee on Judiciary and Public Safety