'Damon Allen Act ensures Texas communities are safe': Abbott signs bail reform bill despite controversy in Harris County

A new bail bill signed by Gov. Greg Abbott is going to have an impact on Houston. 

Abbott signed Senate Bill 6 on Sept. 13. This is widely known as the "bail reform bill." The law introduces new requirements for those wishing to seek bail; for example, people accused of certain felonies and violent crimes will be required to put up cash to obtain bail.

"The Damon Allen Act ensures Texas communities are safe and secure by making it harder for dangerous criminals to be released on bail," Abbott said. "Texas cities will not follow the lead of Portland, Seattle and Minneapolis; Texas will remain a law-and-order state and continue using every tool available to preserve the safety that Texans deserve. That is why I am proud to sign the Damon Allen Act into law, which will reform our broken bail system in the Lone Star State."

According to Houston Public Media, Florian Martin said the number of those accused of a crime while out on two to four bonds quadrupled from 2016 to 2020, from 1,812 to 7,312.

Under this bill, judges are no longer allowed to give release on personal recognizance if the defendant is charged with certain felonies or if individuals commit violent crimes while already out on bail. Opponents of the bill worry about its implications for Harris County, where requiring cash bail for misdemeanors was ruled unconstitutional because it discriminated against the poor.