Bill Text: MI SB0487 | 2021-2022 | 101st Legislature | Introduced
Bill Title: Corrections: other; women's prison oversight advisory committee; create. Creates new act.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 2-0)
Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2021-05-27 - Referred To Committee On Judiciary And Public Safety [SB0487 Detail]
Download: Michigan-2021-SB0487-Introduced.html
SENATE BILL NO. 487
A bill to create the women's prison oversight advisory committee and to provide for the powers and duties of certain state officers and entities.
the people of the state of michigan enact:
Sec. 1. This act shall be known and may be cited as the "women's prison oversight act".
(a) "Committee" means the women's prison oversight advisory committee created in section 3.
(b) "Department" means the department of corrections.
(c) "Prisoner" means an individual committed to or under the jurisdiction of the department.
Sec. 3. (1) The women's prison oversight advisory committee is created in the department of technology, management, and budget.
(2) The committee consists of the following 13 members appointed by the governor:
(a) One physician who specializes in high-risk pregnancies.
(b) One physician who is board certified as an obstetrician-gynecologist.
(c) One nutritionist.
(d) One licensed and practicing midwife.
(e) One practicing doula.
(f) One individual who was formerly incarcerated in a correctional facility that houses women.
(g) One individual who has trauma-specific and gender-responsive expertise.
(h) One individual who is a licensed bachelor's social worker, licensed master's social worker, or possesses a doctor of philosophy degree in social work and who has expertise in reentry services for prisoners.
(i) One individual who is a teacher or an education academic or professional and who has expertise in adolescent development.
(j) One individual who is accredited by a national corrections institute.
(k) One individual who has expertise in sanitation and environmental services.
(l) One professional who has training in counseling for substance use disorders.
(m) The legislative corrections ombudsman.
(3) The members first appointed to the committee must be appointed within 90 days after the effective date of this act.
(4) Members of the committee shall serve for terms of 4 years or until a successor is appointed, whichever is later, except that of the members first appointed, 3 shall serve for 1 year, 4 shall serve for 2 years, and 4 shall serve for 3 years.
(5) If a vacancy occurs on the committee, the governor shall make an appointment for the unexpired term in the same manner as the original appointment.
(6) The governor or his or her designee shall call the first meeting of the committee. The committee shall meet not less than quarterly.
(7) Members of the committee shall serve without compensation. However, members of the committee may be reimbursed for their actual and necessary expenses incurred in the performance of their official duties as members of the committee.
(8) The committee shall do all of the following:
(a) Monitor the following areas affecting female prisoners and report any issues to the governor:
(i) Mental and physical health.
(ii) Nutritional needs and resources.
(iii) Conditions of confinement.
(b) Advise the governor on best practices for the department to implement regarding confinement conditions and issues affecting female prisoners in correctional facilities, including, but not limited to, issues regarding the following:
(i) Access to nutritious and quality food.
(ii) Access to sufficient toilet paper and sanitary products, including products for postpartum bleeding and menstruation.
(c) Adopt policies and procedures for the committee to follow.
(9) Upon request, and without notice, the department shall grant a member of the committee entrance to inspect a correctional facility.
(10) Not less than each year and following any inspection under subsection (9), the committee shall create a report that addresses all of the following regarding female prisoners in correctional facilities:
(a) Conditions of confinement.
(b) Access to mental and physical health care.
(c) Access to nutritious and quality food.
(d) Access to sufficient toilet paper and sanitary products, including, but not limited to, products for postpartum bleeding and menstruation.
(11) The committee shall provide the governor and publish to the public every report created under subsection (10).
