Senate Bill 486 Summary

• Restricts use of cash bonds for Class 1, 2, and 3 misdemeanors unless defendant poses danger of injury to others; effective October 1, 2021.

• Requires first appearances for misdemeanor defendants in custody within 48 hours of arrest and mandates preventative detention hearings within 5 days if defendant remains in custody; repeals automatic bond doubling rules; effective October 1, 2021.

• Automatically enrolls all criminal defendants in court date reminder system with opt-out available; allows defendants 20 calendar days from missed court date to contact clerk to strike failure to appear and request new court date; effective December 1, 2021.

• Expands right to counsel to criminal defendants facing fines of $200 or more (previously $500); appropriates $1.18 million per fiscal year for indigent defense services; effective October 1, 2021.

• Requires annual jury list preparation and makes demographic data (date of birth, sex, race) of prospective jurors public record to ensure jury representativeness; establishes comprehensive protections for pregnant and postpartum incarcerated women including restrictions on restraints, invasive searches, and placement in restrictive housing; effective October 1, 2021.