U.S. Rep. Elise Stefanik (R-NY) on Jan. 9 signed on as a cosponsor to bipartisan legislation that would provide a review of policies related to how United States probation and pretrial services officers monitor individuals on pretrial release.
“I am proud to cosponsor this bill to address dangerous bail reform policies that continue to put our communities at risk,” Rep. Stefanik said. “I stand united with local law enforcement and various members of our communities against these harmful bail reform policies and look forward to working with my colleagues to move this legislation forward.”
Rep. Stefanik joined almost 50 other cosponsors of the Bill’s Promise Act, H.R. 3657, introduced in July 2019 by U.S. Reps. John Katko (R-NY) and Hank Johnson (D-GA) to direct the Government Accountability Office to conduct a comprehensive assessment of how individuals on pretrial release are monitored at the federal, state and local levels.
To ensure communities are not put at risk, H.R. 3657 would address issues surrounding pretrial release programs, such as those in New York State, where a new bail reform policy states that cash bail is not required for most defendants accused of misdemeanors and non-violent felonies, according to information provided by Rep. Stefanik’s office.
Instead, the law encourages alternatives, such as supervision by a pretrial services agency, according to the information.
“This legislation will require an assessment of failed bail reform laws exactly like the one that Governor Cuomo has implemented in New York, which has had significant impacts in the North Country and put many communities at risk,” the congresswoman said on Monday.
H.R. 3657 is under consideration by the U.S. House Judiciary Committee.