The bill amends Section 12-13-1.3 of the General Laws in Chapter 12-13, titled "Bail and Recognizance," to establish new guidelines for pretrial release. It stipulates that individuals arrested for misdemeanors shall be released without financial conditions unless they are charged with a domestic violence offense under chapter 29 of title 12, request such financial conditions, or the court makes a finding on the record that there is a likely risk that the individual will fail to appear in court or will obstruct justice. The court's findings must be documented, and it is required to consider information it receives pursuant to 12-13-24.1 regarding the detainee's background and circumstances.

The bill does not outline specific responsibilities for the Department of Corrections in collecting information about pretrial detainees. If deemed suitable for pretrial release, the court may impose non-monetary conditions to ensure the defendant's appearance in court and community safety. The court retains the authority to review a defendant's bail status at any time. This act will take effect upon passage.

Statutes affected:
293: 12-13-1.3