ATLANTA (AP) — A bill to require cash bail for 30 additional crimes is headed to Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp’s desk after the House gave it final approval.
The GOP-dominated House voted 97-69 for Senate Bill 63 on Monday, backing a measure that would erodes changes that Republican Gov. Nathan Deal championed in 2018 to allow judges to release most people accused of misdemeanors without bail.
The measure would also limit charitable bail funds or even individuals from bailing more than three people out of jail in a year, reserving that ability only to those who meet legal requirements to be bail bond companies.
Rep. Houston Gaines, an Athens Republican who supported the measure, said people let out of jail without bail are less likely to show up for court than those who have paid to get out of jail, although national studies contradict that claim.
“This legislation will make it clear that Georgia is not going down the path of failure seen by other states and communities that have eliminated cash bail,” Gaines said. ”It’s been an unmitigated disaster.”