The bill, H.B. No. 799, amends the Code of Criminal Procedure to facilitate the release on personal bond for defendants charged with misdemeanors or state jail felonies. Specifically, it modifies Article 17.03(a) to allow magistrates to release defendants on personal bond without requiring sureties or other security, unless otherwise specified by the chapter. Additionally, a new Article 17.034 is introduced, mandating that a magistrate must release a defendant charged with a misdemeanor or state jail felony on personal bond unless the release is prohibited by law or if the magistrate determines that nonmonetary conditions of release are insufficient to ensure the defendant's court appearance and the safety of the community, law enforcement, and the victim.

The changes in the law will only apply to individuals arrested on or after the effective date of the Act, which is set for September 1, 2025. Those arrested prior to this date will continue to be governed by the existing laws in effect at the time of their arrest. This bill aims to streamline the process of releasing certain defendants while ensuring that public safety and court attendance are adequately addressed.