The bill amends Section 12-19-14 of the General Laws regarding the violation of probation terms. It introduces new provisions that require courts to presume release for most probation violations that do not involve new criminal offenses, particularly those related to low-level substance use. The court is mandated to set reasonable bail and may impose non-monetary conditions of release. Additionally, it limits the circumstances under which a defendant can be detained, allowing detention only if the court believes the defendant poses a threat to the community or themselves, or if no non-monetary conditions will reasonably assure the defendant's appearance at the probation violation hearing.

The bill also stipulates that hearings must be conducted within thirty days of arrest, with a specific requirement for those held without bail to have their hearings within ten days, excluding holidays, Saturdays, or Sundays. The court must provide written reasoning for any decision to deny release. Overall, the bill aims to streamline the probation violation process, ensuring that defendants are treated fairly while balancing public safety concerns.

Statutes affected:
2161: 12-19-14