Senate Bill 21-071: Summary

• Eliminates secured bail bonds for juveniles; requires unsecured personal recognizance bonds without monetary or property conditions for release, with limited exceptions for those posing substantial risk of serious harm to others.

• Reduces statewide juvenile detention bed capacity from 327 beds to 215 beds beginning fiscal year 2021-22, limiting pretrial detention of juveniles.

• Requires juveniles arrested for traffic or ordinance violations to be taken before a judge within 48 hours and prohibits detention in adult facilities for more than 6 hours with sight and sound separation.

• Establishes working group to examine alternatives to detention and develop performance standards for least restrictive placements; mandates annual reporting on availability of community-based services and alternative placements by July 1, 2023 and thereafter.

• Appropriates approximately $630,000 in general fund money for fiscal year 2021-22, including reductions to institutional youth services and funding for information technology and child welfare administration.