1.1                          A bill for an act 
  1.2             relating to crime prevention; prohibiting a reduction 
  1.3             in the use of trained dogs in correctional facilities 
  1.4             and requiring a study of their effectiveness. 
  1.5   BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA: 
  1.6      Section 1.  [USE OF DOGS IN CORRECTIONAL FACILITIES; STUDY 
  1.7   AND PROHIBITION ON REDUCTION.] 
  1.8      Subdivision 1.  [STUDY.] The commissioner of corrections 
  1.9   shall study the effectiveness of the use of trained dogs in 
  1.10  correctional facilities to provide security and find 
  1.11  contraband.  The study must consider whether the presence of 
  1.12  these dogs deters inmates from engaging in prohibited behavior 
  1.13  and provides a safer work environment for correctional officers, 
  1.14  and compare this to any negative effects of using these dogs.  
  1.15  The study must also consider the effectiveness of dogs in 
  1.16  locating contraband within facilities.  The study must analyze 
  1.17  the cost-effectiveness of the department maintaining these dogs 
  1.18  internally versus contracting with outside providers for them 
  1.19  when the need arises. 
  1.20     Subd. 2.  [LEVEL OF USE.] The commissioner may not allow a 
  1.21  state correctional facility to reduce its use of trained 
  1.22  correctional dogs below the rate of use before January 1, 2001. 
  1.23     Subd. 3.  [REPORT.] The commissioner shall report to the 
  1.24  chairs and ranking minority members of the senate and house 
  1.25  committees and divisions having jurisdiction over criminal 
  2.1   justice policy and funding on the results of the study and any 
  2.2   recommendations relating to the continued use of these dogs.