Rhode Island House Bill H6245

Rhode Island 2025 Regular Session

• Introduced: 4/23/25
• Refer: 4/23/25

Caption

Creates a bail task force to study the need of monetary conditions of bail and to consider other methods for ensuring an accused’s appearance in court, enhance public safety and honor the presumption of innocence.

Impact

The proposed H6245 signifies a potential shift in Rhode Island's approach to bail and criminal justice reform. By scrutinizing the use of monetary bail and recommending alternatives, the legislation could influence existing statutory frameworks around bail and recognizance. It addresses the challenges faced by many individuals who cannot afford bail, leading to disproportionate impacts on low-income communities. If successful, this bill may lead to a reduction in pre-trial detention rates and a more balanced approach towards public safety and judicial fairness.

Summary

House Bill H6245 aims to create a bail task force in Rhode Island to evaluate the current monetary conditions of bail and explore alternative measures to ensure that accused individuals appear in court. The bill recognizes concerns regarding the reliance on monetary bail and its implications for public safety and presumption of innocence. By establishing a task force, the bill seeks to gather comprehensive data and insights to improve the effectiveness of bail laws and related procedures within the state's criminal justice system. The task force will be composed of various stakeholders, including the chief justice of the Rhode Island Supreme Court, the attorney general, the public defender, and representatives from impacted communities, among others. Their collective expertise is aimed at assessing whether the use of monetary bail conditions should be continued and, if so, to what extent. Additionally, the task force will explore alternative options that can enhance public safety while ensuring fair treatment of the accused. A critical focus of H6245 is the analysis of non-monetary conditions of bail and possible alternatives such as increased use of summons to appear in court, home confinement, and reliable pre-trial risk assessment tools. These measures are intended to maintain the presumption of innocence until proven guilty while minimizing the burden that monetary bail places on the accused. The task force is required to submit a final report detailing its findings and recommendations for necessary changes to current bail laws and practices by January 1, 2027. The ongoing work of the task force in the following years will assess the impact of these recommendations, supporting a long-term vision for reforming bail practices in Rhode Island. This structured approach represents a proactive step towards a more equitable and just criminal procedure.