Minnesota Session Laws - 1999, Regular Session

                            CHAPTER 208-H.F.No. 1494 
                  An act relating to corrections; modifying the law 
                  prohibiting inmates from bringing actions to challenge 
                  the level of expenditures for rehabilitation programs 
                  and the law related to sanctions for frivolous or 
                  malicious claims; amending Minnesota Statutes 1998, 
                  sections 244.03; and 244.035. 
        BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA: 
           Section 1.  Minnesota Statutes 1998, section 244.03, is 
        amended to read: 
           244.03 [REHABILITATIVE PROGRAMS.] 
           The commissioner shall provide appropriate mental health 
        programs and vocational and educational programs with 
        employment-related goals for inmates who desire to voluntarily 
        participate in such programs and for inmates who are required to 
        participate in the programs under the disciplinary offense rules 
        adopted by the commissioner under section 244.05, subdivision 
        1b.  The selection, design and implementation of programs under 
        this section shall be the sole responsibility of the 
        commissioner, acting within the limitations imposed by the funds 
        appropriated for such programs. 
           No action challenging the level of expenditures for 
        programs authorized under this section, nor any action 
        challenging the selection, design or implementation of these 
        programs, including employee assignments, may be maintained by 
        an inmate in any court in this state. 
           Sec. 2.  Minnesota Statutes 1998, section 244.035, is 
        amended to read: 
           244.035 [SANCTIONS RELATED TO LITIGATION.] 
           (a) As used in this section, "board" means a licensing or 
        certification board. 
           (b) The commissioner shall develop disciplinary sanctions 
        to provide infraction penalties for an inmate who submits a 
        frivolous or malicious claim as determined under section 563.02, 
        subdivision 3, to a court or board, or who is determined by the 
        court or board to have testified falsely or to have submitted 
        false evidence to a court or board.  Infraction penalties may 
        include loss of privileges, punitive segregation, loss of good 
        time, or adding discipline confinement time.  The determination 
        of the commissioner regarding disciplinary sanctions under this 
        section is limited to the nature and extent of the infraction 
        penalty to be imposed.  The commissioner is bound by the finding 
        of the court or board that the inmate submitted a frivolous or 
        malicious claim, testified falsely, or submitted false evidence. 
           (c) The court or board shall determine whether a claim is 
        frivolous or malicious under section 563.02, subdivision 3. 
           Presented to the governor May 21, 1999 
           Signed by the governor May 24, 1999, 9:42 a.m.