Pretrial Release and Bail

Rep. Pat Harrigan (R‑N.C.) introduced the No Free Pass for Felons Act, proposing to cut federal criminal‑justice grants to states that don’t require dangerousness hearings and on‑the‑record rationales before releasing violent defendants, ban cashless bail without a threat‑assessment hearing, and publish data on judges’ pretrial decisions and repeat offenders. The bill would reduce Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant funding by 15% for noncompliant states and gives states 18 months after enactment to implement the requirements.