HB 228 Summary

• Reclassifies violation of condition of release from a violation to a class B misdemeanor and removes the $1,000 fine cap as the sole penalty.

• Restructures sex trafficking offenses in the third and fourth degree by requiring compensation element and reorganizing the conditions, while defining "compensation" to exclude reasonably apportioned shared expenses.

• Increases sentencing ranges for class C felonies to zero to one year for first-time offenders (instead of probation with suspended term), with enhanced minimums for specific driving violations and other felonies.

• Adds mandatory minimum periods of suspended imprisonment and probation supervision following active sentences: 5 years suspended/15 years probation for unclassified felonies, 3 years suspended/10 years probation for class A or B felonies, and 2 years suspended/5 years probation for class C felonies.

• Makes technical changes to pretrial services program language, parole hearing scheduling, sex offense definitions, and other criminal justice procedures; most provisions take effect immediately except pretrial services provisions effective January 1, 2018.