AN ACT RELATING TO CRIMINAL PROCEDURE -- BAIL AND RECOGNIZANCE

SB 293 would require courts to release most people arrested for misdemeanor offenses without requiring money bail. It directly affects misdemeanor arrestees, except in cases involving domestic violence or when a court finds a risk of the person failing to appear in court or obstructing justice (e.g., threatening witnesses). The bill mandates that the Department of Corrections collect background information on pretrial detainees - including employment, community ties, and criminal history - before court decisions. Courts may then impose non-monetary conditions like supervision or community confinement instead of money bail, but cannot require financial conditions for standard misdemeanors.