HF 524

as introduced - 86th Legislature (2009 - 2010) Posted on 02/09/2010 01:38am

A bill for an act
relating to public safety; establishing the county jail reentry project; appropriating
money; proposing coding for new law in Minnesota Statutes, chapter 641.

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

Section 1.

new text begin [641.156] COUNTY JAIL REENTRY PROJECTS; GRANTS.
new text end

new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end

new text begin Purpose. new text end

new text begin The purpose of the reentry project is to promote public
safety, prevent recidivism, and promote a successful reintegration into the community
by providing services to individuals confined in jails and county regional jails who are
identified as having mental illness, traumatic brain injury, chemical dependency, or being
homeless.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 2. new text end

new text begin Grants. new text end

new text begin (a) The commissioner of corrections, in consultation with the
commissioner of human services, shall award grants to county boards for two-year reentry
pilot projects. At a minimum, one project must be located outside the seven-county
metropolitan area. Projects will target prisoners in jails and county regional jails who have
a release date and are identified as having:
new text end

new text begin (1) a mental illness, as defined in section 245.462, subdivision 20;
new text end

new text begin (2) a traumatic brain injury, as defined in section 256B.093, subdivision 4;
new text end

new text begin (3) chemical dependency, as defined in section 253B.02, subdivision 2; or
new text end

new text begin (4) a history of homelessness, as defined in section 116L.361, subdivision 5.
new text end

new text begin (b) The projects shall include a collaboration of county agencies and may provide a
range of services including, but not limited to, screening and assessment, client-specific
programming, discharge planning and follow-up assistance, and follow up for at least
three months after the prisoner has reentered the community.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 3. new text end

new text begin Applications. new text end

new text begin A grant applicant shall prepare and submit to the
commissioner of corrections a written proposal detailing the plan and strategies on how
the applicant will implement the program. The application shall include a proposed
evaluation component of outcome measures including, but not limited to, numbers of
prisoners served, recidivism, and restoration of public benefits.
new text end

Sec. 2. new text begin APPROPRIATIONS.
new text end

new text begin (a) $....... for fiscal year 2010 and $....... for fiscal year 2011 are appropriated from
the general fund to the commissioner of corrections to administer the grant program
established in Minnesota Statutes, section 641.156.
new text end

new text begin (b) $....... is appropriated from the general fund to the commissioner of human
services for the biennium beginning July 1, 2009, to fund discharge planning for offenders
with serious and persistent mental illness as defined in Minnesota Statutes, section
245.462, subdivision 20, paragraph (c), who are pending release from correctional
facilities.
new text end