OLYMPIA, WA (MyBellinghamNow.com) – A new bill in Olympia could make it harder for certain suspected criminals to return to the streets before they go to trial.

HB 1252 seeks to tighten pretrial release eligibility for any suspects who resist arrest, lead police on a chase or require “substantial resources” to be used in their arrest.

Washington state law currently allows anyone charged with a noncapital offense to be released on personal recognizance or low bail before their trial. However, the court can overrule that if they believe the suspect isn’t likely to appear, could commit a violent crime or intimidate a witness.

Proponents of the bill say it would prevent further harm by helping to keep potentially dangerous criminals off the streets. But critics argue the bill threatens the presumption of a defendant’s innocence and can disproportionately impact marginalized communities who may be subject to harsher encounters with police.

The House Committee on Community Safety is expected to vote on whether to move forward with the bill on Thursday, Feb. 20.