A bill that would allow judges to issue warrants immediately after a person fails to appear at their scheduled hearing was announced Thursday morning by state Sen. Sue Serino (R-Poughkeepsie).

The bill is meant to scale back a provision of the state's new cash bail law, which ended cash bail requirements for misdemeanor and non-violent felony charges.

Serino in a statement said the measure is meant to address a provision in the law that requires 48 hours to go by before a warrant can be issued for those who fail to appear at their hearing.

"This provision of the new bail measure is just one more slap in the face to the law-abiding citizens of this state," Serino said. "Fugitives should not get a free pass — those who were released on their own recognizance who choose not to return to court should be rearrested immediately. This provision does nothing but give criminals a full two days head start as they continue to evade law enforcement. Not only is it incredibly dangerous, but it will waste already limited resources as law enforcement is forced to play catch-up.”

The bill from Serino, a Hudson Valley Republican lawmaker, is the latest in the fight over the bail law, which law enforcement officials have been increasingly critical of in recent months.

Some Democrats have introduced legislation to allow for judges to set bail in some circumstances. But supporters of the law, including Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie and criminal justice advocates, say that would undermine key provisions of the law meant to prevent people from languishing in jail prior to trial.