Bill prohibiting jail for fines heads to governor

A proposal to stop jailing poor people for being unable to pay municipal court fines is expected to be signed into law in Colorado.

A spokesman for Gov. John Hickenlooper says the governor is expected to agree to the measure, which got final approval from the Colorado Legislature Wednesday.

With the bill, defendants must now be instructed that if they’re unable to pay a fine, they have to contact the court for a hearing to explain why they can’t pay, and possibly arrange a payment plan.