H.F. No. 47 Summary

• Defendants charged with misdemeanor offenses must be released on personal recognizance unless the court finds substantial likelihood they will not appear or pose a threat to victim safety.

• Courts cannot impose financial conditions of release that result in pretrial detention; if a defendant remains in custody more than 48 hours after a financial condition is imposed, a rebuttable presumption exists that the condition caused detention.

• When courts determine non-appearance risk exists, they must impose the least restrictive release conditions, with options including unsecured appearance bonds or money bail, and must also offer money bail without other conditions.

• Seven specific offense violations are excluded from these requirements: DWI (section 169A.20), domestic abuse (section 518B.01), and several assault and harassment statutes (sections 609.224, 609.2242, 609.748, 609.749, and 629.75).

• Effective date is August 1, 2020.