SB22-018 Summary

• Requires all participating courts to automatically enroll criminal defendants and juvenile participants in the court reminder program, with an option to opt out.

• Expands reminders from two to three text messages per court appearance, including the first appearance, with at least one reminder sent the day before court.

• Mandates courts use the best available contact information and make reasonable efforts to obtain accurate contact details from law enforcement summons and other sources before sending first appearance reminders.

• Requires courts to provide virtual appearance links in final reminders for appearances that can be attended remotely, effective October 15, 2022.

• Appropriates $74,713 to the judicial department for the 2022-23 fiscal year and establishes a working group to study court reminder best practices and report annually to legislative committees through June 30, 2025.