Cashless Bail Reporting Act

The Cashless Bail Reporting Act proposes to increase federal oversight and public transparency regarding state and local bail practices. If enacted, the bill would mandate that the U.S. Attorney General identify every state and local government unit that allows "cashless bail"—a practice where individuals charged with crimes are released before trial without paying a cash bond, often based on a personal promise to appear in court or an unsecured bond.

The Department of Justice would be required to publish an initial list of these jurisdictions within 30 days of the bill's passage and provide quarterly updates thereafter. While the bill does not directly change local bail laws, it aims to provide a centralized, public database so citizens can see which areas have moved away from traditional cash bail requirements. Supporters suggest this would help the public track where defendants are released without financial conditions, while critics argue it could be used to pressure local governments to roll back criminal justice reforms.