Bill > HB1566

This bill reforms bail procedures in Indiana by prohibiting courts from requiring monetary bail unless specific conditions are met. Courts must now use the Indiana pretrial risk assessment system to evaluate an arrestee's potential flight risk or danger to the community, and can only require bail if: the defendant is charged with murder or treason, is already on pretrial release for another incident, is on probation or parole, or if the court finds clear and convincing evidence that the defendant poses a physical risk to others. When bail is deemed necessary, the law mandates that it must be set at the lowest amount possible, taking into account the defendant's financial circumstances and considering factors such as the defendant's employment, family ties, criminal history, community connections, and likelihood of court appearance. The bill aims to reduce financial barriers to pretrial release by ensuring that bail is not used as a punitive measure but instead serves its intended purpose of ensuring court attendance and community safety. Additionally, the legislation provides guidelines for courts to consider various individual factors when determining bail, with an emphasis on creating a more equitable and individualized approach to pretrial detention.

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https://iga.in.gov/legislative/2025/bills/house/1566/details