SECTION 1. Chapter 211F of the General Laws, as appearing in the 2014 Official Edition, is hereby amended by inserting after section 3 the following new section:-

Section 3A. (a) Participation in a pretrial services program may be ordered by the court, in lieu of bail or as a condition of release consistent with sections 57, 58 and 58A of chapter 276.  The court may dictate the duration and conditions of the pretrial services program.  Any conditions should be imposed to ensure the return of the defendant to court.  Successful completion of an imposed pretrial services program shall provide for deduction in time from the sentence imposed by the court, if a person is convicted of the offense for which the pretrial services program was imposed.  Such deduction shall not exceed more than 5 days per program or activity for each month while said prisoner is partaking in any of the said programs or activities; provided, however, that in no event shall said deduction exceed a maximum monthly total of 10 days. 

(b) The probation department may utilize pretrial services programs for pretrial supervision consistent with sections 87 and 87A of chapter 276, upon agreement by the person before the court who is charged with an offense or crime.

(c) An individual held in jail may be released to probation to enter a pretrial services program upon the agreement of the commissioner of probation and the sheriff who has custody of the individual.

(d) Placement of an individual in a pretrial services program shall require victim notification as required under subsection (t) of section 3 of chapter 258B.