DE HB133

Creates a new hardship waiver process allowing defendants to have court fines and fees waived or reduced if they demonstrate inability to pay

Establishes a presumption that fines and fees will not be imposed when defendants receive public assistance benefits (Medicaid, SNAP, TANF, SSI, SSDI, veterans' benefits, subsidized housing, etc.), were represented by the Office of Defense Services, were detained pretrial for more than 3 days, or were sentenced to incarceration

Repeals the provision allowing courts to impose up to 30 days additional imprisonment in lieu of requiring payment of fines, costs, or restitution

Requires courts to advise defendants at sentencing about the availability of hardship waivers and mandates annual reporting on the number of waivers granted and amounts waived

Takes effect 180 days after enactment and is based on recommendations from the Criminal Legal System Imposed Debt Study Group established by the 151st General Assembly