2019 House Bill 4352

Pre-trial bail reform package

Introduced in the House

March 13, 2019

Introduced by Rep. Ronnie Peterson (D-54)

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. This is part of a bail reform package comprised of House Bills 4351 to 4360.

Referred to the Committee on Judiciary