The Supreme Court may establish a statewide risk-assessment tool to be used in proceedings to assist the court in establishing conditions of pretrial release for a defendant by assessing the defendant’s likelihood of appearing at future court proceedings or determining if the defendant poses a real and present threat to the physical safety of any person or persons. The Supreme Court shall consider establishing a risk-assessment tool that does not discriminate on the basis of race, gender, educational level, socio-economic status, or neighborhood. If a risk-assessment tool is utilized within a circuit that does not require a personal interview to be completed, the Chief Judge of the circuit or the director of the pretrial services agency may exempt the requirement under Section 9 and subsection (a) of § 7 of the Pretrial Services Act.
     For the purpose of this Section, “risk-assessment tool” means an empirically validated, evidence-based screening instrument that demonstrates reduced instances of a defendant’s failure to appear for further court proceedings or prevents future criminal activity.