SB20-172 Summary

• Courts must hold bond setting hearings within 48 hours of an arrestee's arrival at a jail or holding facility, with implementation beginning July 1, 2021 for in-county arrests and July 1, 2022 for out-of-county arrests.

• A judge must conduct an in-person hearing and enter an individualized bond order within 48 hours, unless delayed by court closure, defendant refusal to attend, debilitating physical ailment, or incompetence due to substance use or mental illness.

• Creates a bond hearing officer position to conduct bond hearings on weekends and holidays statewide using audiovisual technology, with hearings open to public viewing.

• Establishes the County Assistance for Bond Hearings grant program allowing the state court administrator to provide grants to counties for purchasing or upgrading audiovisual technology to enable remote bond hearings.

• The grant program and county assistance cash fund sunset on July 31, 2025, with unexpended funds transferred to the general fund on July 1, 2025.