HF 492

2nd Engrossment - 85th Legislature (2007 - 2008) Posted on 12/15/2009 12:00am

A bill for an act
relating to public safety; establishing a short-term offender advisory task force;
requiring a report that includes task force recommendations on short-term
offender program and reimbursing counties.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

Section 1. new text begin SHORT-TERM OFFENDER ADVISORY TASK FORCE.
new text end

new text begin (a) An advisory task force is established to evaluate the use and effectiveness
of the short-term offender program and identify gaps in the current system relating to
jail programming and reentry. The task force shall recommend appropriate levels of
reimbursement to counties for housing short-term offenders in county and regional jails,
and propose alternatives to the current system including, but not limited to, a regional
jail structure.
new text end

new text begin (b) The commissioner of corrections shall cochair the committee with a designee
of the Minnesota Sheriffs Association and convene the first meeting of the advisory task
force that is composed of the following representatives: three members to represent
the Department of Corrections' institutions division, community services division, and
offender reception center appointed by the commissioner; two sheriffs or administrators
who operate jails or workhouses that house short-term offenders appointed by the
Minnesota Sheriffs Association in consultation with the Association of Minnesota
Counties; two county administrators and two county board members appointed by the
Association of Minnesota Counties; two county attorneys appointed by the Minnesota
County Attorneys Association; two public defenders appointed by the State Board of
Public Defense; and two probation officers jointly appointed by the Minnesota Corrections
Association and the Minnesota Association of Community Corrections Act counties, at
least one of whom must be from a Community Corrections Act county. The associations
must seek geographical diversity among task force members so that both metropolitan and
out-state interests are represented. Task force members may not receive compensation
but may receive reimbursement for expenses related to serving on the task force. Except
as provided in this section, task force members' terms and other task force matters are
subject to Minnesota Statutes, section 15.059.
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new text begin (c) The task force must submit by February 1, 2009, a written report to the chairs of
the public safety finance and policy committees in the house of representatives and senate
that includes the task force recommendations for managing and reforming the short-term
offender program and reimbursing counties for housing short-term offenders.
new text end

new text begin (d) Upon request, the commissioner of corrections must provide the task force
with technical and other support services. The commissioner must use funds from the
department's current operating budget to cover any costs the commissioner incurs in
providing services to the task force.
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new text begin (e) The task force expires on June 30, 2009.
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new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective the day following final enactment.
new text end