The bill amends Kansas law regarding the pretrial release of individuals charged with serious offenses, particularly serious drug offenses. It establishes a secured release requirement, mandating a minimum bail of $50,000 in cash or surety for such charges. The previous provision allowing for release on recognizance has been replaced with an unsecured judicial release program, which can only be granted if the court determines the defendant is unlikely to re-offend, imposes pretrial supervision, or the defendant agrees to participate in a licensed drug treatment program. The bill also categorizes failure to appear in court as a class B nonperson misdemeanor, while aggravated failure to appear is classified as a severity level 10 nonperson felony.

Additionally, the bill introduces intensive pretrial supervision programs and specifies conditions for release, such as drug and alcohol evaluations and treatment for felony charges. It streamlines the terminology by replacing "unsecured judicial release on recognizance" with "unsecured judicial release" and establishes criteria for eligibility in supervised release programs, emphasizing the need for thorough assessments of defendants. The magistrate is granted discretion to impose various conditions of release, including supervision by court services officers, and the bill outlines the responsibilities of district courts in managing these programs. Overall, the legislation aims to enhance public safety and ensure accountability for individuals charged with serious offenses before their trial.

Statutes affected:
As introduced: 21-5703, 65-4161, 65-4163, 21-36a05, 21-5709, 21-5710, 21-5910, 21-5915, 21-6316, 21-6329, 22-2802, 22-2803, 22-2814, 22-2815, 21-5505, 21-5506, 22-2816, 22-2817