HB675

Requires judges to make findings on the record regarding a defendant's ability to afford bail.

Hawaii HB675 amends the bail system to require judges to make findings on the record regarding a defendant's ability to afford bail. This includes considering the defendant's financial ability to pay, explaining how the bail amount was calculated, and justifying why no alternative restrictions will suffice. The bill aims to create a fairer pretrial system and ensure meaningful appellate review of bail decisions. The changes respond to findings that pretrial detainees have not decreased since the 2019 Act 179 reforms, despite efforts to change judicial procedures.