MS HB983

Prohibits judges from granting unsecured judicial release (release on own recognizance, unsecured appearance bonds, or pretrial program release without security) for any "bail restricted offense" punishable by more than one year imprisonment

Requires defendants charged with bail restricted offenses to post a secured monetary bond, property bond, or surety bond to obtain release

Removes existing provisions that allowed misdemeanor defendants to be released on their own recognizance based on indigency determinations

Maintains that financial conditions of bail cannot be set solely to detain defendants, and defendants may file motions to reduce bail due to lack of financial means with a 48-hour ruling requirement

Takes effect July 1, 2026, with a constitutional amendment provision taking effect January 1 of the year following ratification