3/16/17 – JOTF Action Alert! SB 983/HB 1215 Threaten Bail Reform–Contact Sen. Muse and Del Anderson!

SENATE BILL 983 / HOUSE BILL 1215 THREATENS BAIL REFORM! 
CONTACT SENATOR MUSE AND DELEGATE ANDERSON TO URGE THEM TO WITHDRAW SB983/HB1215.

This morning, the Maryland Legislative Black Caucus voted favorably to send a letter to the Senate Judicial Proceedings and House Judiciary Committees advising them of their opposition to any pretrial or bail legislation. This action came after the Caucus agreed that allowing the unanimous Maryland Court of Appeals rule to take effect is necessary to securing the first major step in reforming our state pretrial system. Unfortunately, these committees are still planning to vote on a bill that would undermine this landmark rule that has yet to take effect. 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.

Please contact Senator Anthony Muse to urge him to WITHDRAW SB 983.
Senator Anthony Muse: (410) 841-3092, anthony.muse@senate.state.md.us

Please contact Delegate Curt Anderson to urge him to WITHDRAW HB 1215.
Delegate Curt Anderson: (410) 841-3291, curt.anderson@house.state.md.us

Click here to find your Legislators!

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