HB1788 - The Bail Data And Transparency Act

• Establishes a uniform data collection system through the Administrative Office of the Courts to compile bail information from all participating courts in Arkansas.

• Requires courts using the office's case management software to collect and report detailed data on every person's bail, including arrest dates, bail amounts, bond conditions, demographic information, charges, and release outcomes.

• Mandates quarterly reports to the Legislative Council that compile collected bail data disaggregated by person and sentencing court, without identifying individuals by name.

• Addresses Arkansas's approximately $100,000,000 annual expenditure on local jail detention and seeks to improve transparency and reduce unnecessary incarceration costs while maintaining public safety.

• Requires the uniform data collection system to be operational by October 1, 2019, with the first quarterly report due by January 1, 2020.