Bill > S834

This bill aims to reform the pretrial process in Massachusetts. Key provisions include: 1. Allowing the commissioner of corrections or county correctional facility administrators to place certain inmates or individuals held for trial in community corrections programs under Chapter 211F, subject to the commissioner's approval. 2. Expanding the eligibility for participation in community corrections programs to include individuals released on bail or as a condition of release, in addition to court-ordered participation. 3. Establishing a division of pretrial services within the probation office to conduct risk assessments, make release recommendations to the court, and monitor compliance with pretrial release conditions. 4. Requiring the use of a validated risk assessment tool by pretrial services and judicial officers when making pretrial release decisions. 5. Modifying the bail and pretrial detention process, including limiting the use of financial conditions that result in pretrial detention and establishing timeframes for detention hearings and reviews. The overall goal is to reform the pretrial process by focusing on evidence-based risk assessment and supervision, reducing unnecessary pretrial detention, and increasing community-based alternatives to traditional bail.

Justice

https://malegislature.gov/Bills/190/S834