SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WAND) — A plan moving in the Illinois Senate could help people receive reminder notifications before court hearings.

The bill would require pretrial service agencies to send two reminder text messages to people on pretrial release before their required court dates. It also states that pretrial services agencies must keep a copy of the message and a delivery receipt within their records.

Sen. Bill Cunningham (D-Chicago) said research shows texts are very effective in helping people make their court dates.

"There are some jurisdictions doing it now," Cunningham said. "We want to make sure the law we're drafting here does not impede their ability to continue with their programs that are already successful."

The legislation also calls for circuit clerks and the Office of the Statewide Pretrial Services to study the feasibility of sending automatic text message reminders to all people charged with a criminal offense. The report would be due to state lawmakers by Dec. 31.

House Bill 4428 passed unanimously out of the Senate Executive Committee and now heads to the Senate floor. Although Cunningham said he will file an amendment to help address concerns from pretrial service agencies.

This proposal previously passed the House on a 108-0 vote with one representative voting present. 

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