3/15/17 – JOTF Action Alert! SB 983/HB 1215 Threatens Bail Reform- Tell Your Legislators to vote NO!

SENATE BILL 983/HOUSE BILL 1215 THREATENS BAIL REFORM! TELL YOUR LEGISLATORS TO VOTE NO!

The Senate Judicial Proceedings and House Judiciary Committees are planning to vote on a bill that would undermine true bail reform in Maryland. SB 983, even as amended, and HB 1215 would undo a unanimous ruling by the Court of Appeals of Maryland that says defendants can’t be held in jail simply because they’re too poor to afford bail. Even short jail stays can cost families their household income for months—rent is late, the car note is unpaid, groceries are foregone, and jobs are lost. This creates a domino effect for families who are already in poverty; it jeopardizes their ability to meet basic needs and threatens their very survival. Supported by the bail bonds industry, SB 983/HB 1215 would be a major step backward in our pretrial reform progress.

Please call your Senator and Chairman Bobby Zirkin and urge them to vote NO on SB 983.
Senator Bobby Zirkin: (410) 841-3131, [email protected]

Please call your Delegate and Chairman Delegate Joseph Vallario and urge them to vote NO on HB 1215.
Delegate Joseph Vallario: (410) 841-3488, [email protected]

Click here to find your Legislators!

For more information on Annapolis efforts to reform our current pretrial system, please contact Caryn York.