Sec. 1. 15 MRSA §1002, 2nd ¶, as amended by PL 1997, c. 543, §1, is further amended to read:

It is the purpose and intent of this chapter that bail be set for a defendant in order to reasonably ensure the appearance of the defendant as required, to otherwise reasonably ensure the integrity of the judicial process and, when applicable, to reasonably ensure the safety of others in the community. It is also the purpose and intent of this chapter that the judicial officer consider, relative to crimes bailable as of right preconviction, the least restrictive release alternative that will reasonably ensure the attendance of the defendant as required, or otherwise reasonably ensure the integrity of the judicial process shall give serious consideration for first-time defendants to receive personal recognizance bail. Finally, it is also the intent and purpose of this chapter that a defendant, while at liberty on bail, refrain from committing new crimes.

Sec. 2. 15 MRSA §1002, as amended by PL 1997, c. 585, §1, is further amended by adding at the end 2 new paragraphs to read:

The Legislature finds that personal recognizance bail or unsecured appearance bond should not be available for offenders who have a pending charge.

The Legislature further believes that, as a matter of public policy, personal recognizance bail or unsecured appearance bond should not be available to repeat offenders or to those who commit serious crimes.

Sec. 3. 15 MRSA §1003, sub-§1, ¶A, as amended by PL 1997, c. 543, §3, is further amended to read:

A. In the preconviction context, "bail" means the obtaining of the release of the defendant upon an undertaking that the defendant shall appear at the time and place required, that the defendant shall conform to any condition imposed, in accordance with section 1026, designed to ensure the integrity of the judicial process and, that the defendant shall refrain from any new criminal conduct. For crimes bailable only as a matter of discretion preconviction, bail also means the obtaining of the release of the defendant upon an undertaking that the defendant shall conform to each condition that is designed and to ensure the safety of others in the community.

Sec. 4. 15 MRSA §1003, sub-§5, as repealed and replaced by PL 1997, c. 585, §2, is repealed and the following enacted in its place: