This bill requires courts in criminal proceedings to assess ability to pay a fine, fee or costs, at the time of sentencing. The bill also requires that individuals be permitted to pay fines, fees, and costs in installments.
Key Provisions:
- Installments must be in thirty-day increments, and each installment should not exceed two percent of a person’s self-reported monthly net income or ten dollars ($10.00), whichever is greater.
- A defendant sentenced to pay a fine in installments who defaults on payment and is subsequently ordered to a period of confinement shall receive credit toward the fine, fees or costs at twice the rate of the prevailing state, county or municipal hourly minimum wage, whichever is highest.
- Includes job training, school attendance, or participation in social service or rehabilitation programs as permissible activities for community service and requires compensation at twice the rate of the prevailing state, county or municipal hourly minimum wage.
You can read the full bill here.
Primary sponsor(s): Sen. Joseph Cervantes
Bill number: SB 181
Status: Failed