Sponsors (24)
The bill increases federal transparency about jurisdictions that allow release on recognizance—potentially enabling oversight, policy change, and targeted advocacy—but risks politicized federal discretion, reputational pressure on localities, greater pretrial detention for vulnerable defendants, and added DOJ administrative costs.
Law-enforcement officials and community leaders gain a federal list identifying jurisdictions that allow release on recognizance for certain serious charges, providing clearer information for oversight and targeted local responses.
Local and state governments may face pressure from federal transparency to reassess pretrial release policies for violent and disorder offenses, which could reduce repeat offending and improve public safety.
Victims and community advocacy groups can use the published list to identify jurisdictions to target for criminal-justice advocacy and reform efforts.
People charged with crimes—particularly low-income or uninsured defendants—could face increased pretrial detention if jurisdictions respond to the list by adopting stricter detention policies, raising incarceration risks and local jail costs.
State and local governments and courts risk having federal designations depend on the Attorney General's broad discretion to define "covered offense," creating potential for inconsistent or politicized targeting of jurisdictions or offenses.
Jurisdictions named on the list may suffer reputational harm and political pressure—even when their practices follow local law or risk-assessment tools—potentially distorting local policy debates.
Based on analysis of 2 sections of legislative text.
Requires the Attorney General to publish annually a list of states and localities that allow cashless pretrial release for offenses the AG deems a clear threat to public safety.
Requires the Attorney General to publish a public list, within one year and then annually, naming each State and unit of local government that allows pretrial release on personal recognizance or an unsecured appearance bond for offenses the Attorney General deems a clear threat to public safety. The bill defines covered offenses broadly (including violent, sexual, and public-disorder crimes) and gives the Attorney General discretion to identify which offenses qualify. No new funding or programs are created.
Introduced September 30, 2025 by Mark Harris · Last progress May 18, 2026