1.1 	A bill for an act
1.2 	relating to corrections; establishing the Peace of Hope Transit Rides pilot project 
1.3 	to provide family unity for incarcerated persons and reduce recidivism; 
1.4 	appropriating money.
1.5 	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

1.6 	Section 1. PEACE OF HOPE TRANSIT RIDES PILOT PROJECT.
 1.7 		Subdivision 1.Grant. The commissioner of corrections shall award a grant to Peace of 
1.8 	Hope, Inc. to develop and implement Peace of Hope Transit Rides pilot project that expands 
1.9 	Peace of Hope's current service providing family transportation to visit family members 
1.10 	who are incarcerated high-risk offenders to include, at a minimum, reliable visitation 
1.11 	processes, support of family members, and transportation options for families of offenders 
1.12 	of all risk levels who are incarcerated in state correctional facilities. The pilot project is 
1.13 	from September 1, 2018, through August 31, 2020.
1.14 		Subd. 2.Goals. The goals of the pilot project are to:
1.15 	(1) promote family unity and strengthen the bonds of the family network;
1.16 	(2) provide companionship and life skill advice and relieve anxieties of family members 
1.17 	visiting an incarcerated family member;
1.18 	(3) relieve stress in the children of incarcerated family members and encourage personal 
1.19 	strength in the children to increase school and employment success; and
1.20 	(4) decrease recidivism of offenders.
1.21 		Subd. 3.Evaluation; report. By November 1, 2021, Peace of Hope, Inc. must report 
1.22 	to the chairs and ranking minority members of the house of representatives and senate 
2.1 	committees with jurisdiction over corrections on the development, implementation, impact, 
2.2 	and outcomes of the pilot project.

2.3 	Sec. 2. APPROPRIATION.
 2.4 	$640,000,000 in fiscal year 2019 is appropriated from the general fund to the 
2.5 	commissioner of corrections for a grant to Peace of Hope, Inc. for the Peace of Hope Transit 
2.6 	Rides pilot project under section 1. This appropriation is available until expended.