Bill > S2162

This bill requires courts to consider a defendant's parental status when sentencing them, mandating that judges determine if the defendant is a parent whose child's well-being would be negatively impacted by their absence. The court must then consider specific factors related to the child's needs, the parent's role in their life, and the parent-child relationship. Defendants will be allowed to present a "family impact statement," which can include testimony, videos, and documents, to demonstrate these circumstances. Unless the court finds that the parent poses a significant risk to the community that outweighs the harm to the child from their absence, the court must impose a sentence that avoids imprisonment, such as probation, a suspended sentence, or home confinement, to allow the parent to continue caring for their children. This change to existing law will take effect immediately upon its passage.

Justice

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