This bill clarifies the rules for when courts can punish defendants financially for participating in the 24/7 sobriety program as a condition of bond or pre-trial release. A defendant cannot be jailed or have their release revoked just for owing program costs unless the court finds they can actually afford to pay—shifting the burden to the defendant to prove they either didn't willfully refuse to pay or made a genuine effort to do so. The state treasury fund now covers any unpaid program costs, but only if the court determines a defendant lacks the financial ability to pay.
The amendment creates a new 24/7 Sobriety Fund administered by the Attorney General to cover program costs and reimburse counties when defendants cannot pay, fundamentally shifting the bill from only clarifying payment conditions to establishing a funding mechanism that prevents defendants from being jailed solely due to inability to pay program fees. This STRENGTHENS the bill's consumer protection aspect by ensuring financial hardship cannot be used to incarcerate defendants for participating in a sobriety program.
Other amendments
Senate Placed on calendar pursuant to JR 6F-6 Failed, YEAS 8, NAYS 26. S.J. 491
Committee on Appropriations Report out of committee without recommendation as amended Passed, YEAS 5, NAYS 4. S.J. 10
Committee on Appropriations Do Pass Amended Failed, YEAS 4, NAYS 5. S.J. 10
Committee on Appropriations Motion to amend S.J. 10
Committee on Appropriations Scheduled for hearing S.J. 1
Judiciary Referred to Senate Committee on Appropriations Passed, YEAS 6, NAYS 1. S.J. 35
Judiciary Scheduled for hearing S.J. 1
First read in Senate and referred to Senate Judiciary S.J. 248
House of Representatives Do Pass Passed, YEAS 66, NAYS 0. H.J. 279
Judiciary Certified uncontested, placed on consent H.J. 19
Judiciary Do Pass Passed, YEAS 12, NAYS 0. H.J. 19
Judiciary Scheduled for hearing H.J. 1
First read in House and referred to House Judiciary H.J. 164
Prime sponsor · Rep.
R
Placed on calendar pursuant to JR 6F-6
Committee on Appropriations — Do Pass Amended
Committee on Appropriations — Report out of committee without recommendation as amended
Judiciary — Referred to
Do Pass
Judiciary — Do Pass