HB 175 Summary

• Allows defendants in custody to petition courts for unsecured bail after a bail amount is determined, if securing bail would cause significant financial hardship and continued incarceration would jeopardize employment, education, dependent care, medical treatment, or housing.

• Permits courts to release defendants on unsecured financial bonds for all or part of bail, with cash deposits for any remaining balance and other conditions of release that reasonably assure court appearance and public safety.

• Requires courts to consider defendant's employment history, family relationships, residences, character, community ties, financial circumstances, criminal record, failure to appear history, pretrial risk assessment results, offense charged, potential sentence, and other relevant factors.

• Prohibits unsecured bail for offenses involving assault, terroristic threatening, sexual assault, abuse of family or household members, violation of restraining orders or orders for protection, operating under the influence, negligent homicide, or any crime of violence.

• Takes effect on July 1, 2050.