The bill amends Chapter 12-13 of the General Laws regarding "Bail and Recognizance" by establishing a new section, 12-13-26, which creates a ten-member bail task force. The purpose of the task force is to analyze whether the judges of the district and superior courts should continue the use of monetary conditions of bail and, if so, to what extent. It will also explore alternatives to monetary bail that ensure an accused's appearance in court, enhance public safety, and honor the presumption of innocence, as well as to improve the quality of criminal justice in the state.

The task force will consist of the following members or their designees: the chief justice of the Rhode Island Supreme Court (chairperson), the attorney general (co-chairperson), the public defender (co-chairperson), the president of the Rhode Island Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, the president of the Rhode Island Police Chiefs Association, the director of the Rhode Island Department of Corrections, the head of the Economic Progress Institute, the president of Amos House, and two representatives of impacted communities appointed by the president of the senate and the speaker of the house, respectively.

The task force is authorized to access relevant information, consult with experts in the criminal justice field, and consider current procedures and practices in Rhode Island and other jurisdictions. All state agencies and entities are required to cooperate with the task force by providing accurate and timely information upon request.

The task force must prepare a final report containing recommendations for changes to current Rhode Island bail laws, court rules, procedures, and practices by January 1, 2028. This report will address the continued use of monetary conditions of bail, the availability of alternatives, increased use of summons instead of arrests, home confinement, pre-trial risk assessment tools, continuity of representation in felony cases, education and training for stakeholders, effective use of pre-trial services, and the establishment of community bail funds.

Following the submission of the initial report, the task force will continue to meet periodically to assess the impact of its recommendations and will provide a supplemental report by July 1, 2029. The task force is required to complete this supplemental report by May 1, 2030, and will dissolve on July 1, 2030. The act will take effect upon passage.