This bill aims to enhance public safety by collecting and analyzing bail data to improve bail posting practices in Minnesota. It amends Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 480.15, by adding a new subdivision that mandates the court administrator to gather comprehensive data on bail postings in misdemeanor, gross misdemeanor, and felony cases. The data collected will include various demographic and case-related information about defendants, such as race, ethnicity, age, and the conditions of their release. This information will be provided to the Sentencing Guidelines Commission, which will review and evaluate the data to assess the impact of bail practices on racial and socioeconomic inequities, as well as the financial implications for taxpayers and communities.

Additionally, the bill appropriates funds for a study on bail practices, directing a grant to a nonprofit research organization to analyze historical and current bail practices in the state. The study will involve collecting data from 2017 to 2023, including detailed breakdowns of bail amounts and their correlation with demographic factors. The Sentencing Guidelines Commission is tasked with reviewing this data and reporting its findings to the legislature by March 15, 2025, focusing on the implications of bail practices on equity and costs.

Statutes affected:
Introduction: 480.15