Bill > S05891

This bill establishes a temporary blue ribbon commission to comprehensively study bail and the bail industry in the state, with a broad mandate to examine multiple aspects of the criminal justice system's bail practices. The commission will consist of 13 voting members appointed by various state leaders, including representatives from charitable bail organizations and the commercial bail industry, and six non-voting ex officio members from government agencies. The commission is required to conduct at least six meetings and four public hearings, gathering extensive data on topics such as bail administration, arraignment processes, failure to appear rates, jail populations, pretrial release programs, and the economic impacts of bail practices. Members will analyze statistics related to case dispositions, ethnic and economic breakdowns of arrestees, release methods, warrant rates, and re-arrest rates. The commission must submit an interim report to the governor and legislature one year after the act's effective date (January 1, 2026) and a final report two years after the effective date, which will include findings, conclusions, recommendations, and potential legislative proposals. Members will not receive compensation but will be reimbursed for necessary expenses, and the commission will automatically expire two years after becoming law.

Budget and Finance

https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/bills/2025/S5891