REENTRY SERVICES IN CORRECTIONAL FACILITIES

BY AUTHORIZED NONPROFIT ORGANIZATIONS

Senate Bill 9 as passed by the Senate

Sponsor:  Sen. John Proos

House Committee:  Michigan Competitiveness

Senate Committee:  Michigan Competitiveness

Complete to 2-6-17

SUMMARY:

Senate Bill 9 would amend the Corrections Code to allow for representatives of approved nonprofit organizations to enter correctional facilities and provide inmate reentry services. The DOC would be required to post a phone number and application for registration on its website for use by organizations to apply for and provide reentry services.

The bill would take effect 90 days after enactment. It is part of a larger legislative initiative regarding corrections; other bills in the package are Senate Bills 5-24 and Senate Bill 50.

Specifically, Senate Bill 9 would require the Department of Corrections (DOC) to develop and adopt policies and procedures for screening, approving, and registering organizations and representatives from those organizations whose purpose is to provide inmate reentry services. Such services include counseling, providing information on housing and job placement, and money management assistance. Registering organizations include nonprofit faith-based, business and professional, civic, and community organizations.

The DOC may deny approval and registration to an organization, or a representative from an organization that the DOC determines does not meet screening guidelines.  Also, the DOC would have the right to deny entry into a correctional facility, at any time, to a representative of a listed organization, regardless of whether the representative previously applied to and was registered with the DOC to provide reentry services.

The department would be prohibited from endorsing or sponsoring any faith-based reentry program or specific religious message, and from requiring an inmate to participate in a faith-based program.

FISCAL IMPACT:

The bill would have no fiscal impact on the state or on local units of government.  The department has policies and procedures in place for entrance into facilities, and also has criteria in place for the delivery of reentry services.

                                                                                        Legislative Analyst:   Patrick Morris

                                                                                                Fiscal Analyst:   Robin Risko

■ This analysis was prepared by nonpartisan House Fiscal Agency staff for use by House members in their deliberations, and does not constitute an official statement of legislative intent.