1. (a) A pretrial services program established, improved, or for which a pretrial risk scoring instrument validation is conducted using a grant distributed in accordance with § 4-1103 of this subtitle shall:

   1. (1) use a validated, evidence-based, race-neutral risk scoring instrument that is consistent with the Maryland Rules to make recommendations to a judicial officer to determine whether a defendant:

      1. (i) is eligible for release:

         1. 1. on personal recognizance; or
         2. 2. with appropriate pretrial supervision; or
      2. (ii) should be held without bail;
   2. (2) apply best practices shown to be effective in other jurisdictions; and

   3. (3) incorporate multiple levels of supervision based on defendant risk scores with features that include:

      1. (i) cellular telephone reminders of a defendant's hearing date;
      2. (ii) drug and alcohol testing;
      3. (iii) global positioning satellite monitoring, if applicable; and
      4. (iv) substance abuse, mental health, or mediation referrals, if approved by the judicial officer and available in the eligible county.
2. (b) A pretrial services program that receives a grant under this subtitle may not charge a fee to any defendant for participation in the program.

Added by Acts 2018, c. 771, § 1, eff. July 1, 2018. Amended by Acts 2020, c. 41, § 1, eff. July 1, 2021; Acts 2021, c. 364, § 1, eff. Oct. 1, 2021.