Bill Text: MS HB401 | 2015 | Regular Session | Introduced

Mississippi House Bill 401 (Prior Session Legislation)

Introduced

Bill Title: Disbursement of earnings order for offenders housed at restitution centers; institute.

Sponsorship: Partisan Bill (Republican 3)

Status: (Failed) 2015-02-12 - Died On Calendar [HB401 Detail]

Download: Mississippi-2015-HB401-Introduced.html

MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

2015 Regular Session

To: Accountability, Efficiency, Transparency; Corrections

By: Representatives Turner, Taylor

House Bill 401

AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 99-37-21, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO REQUIRE THE DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS TO INSTITUTE AN ORDER FOR THE DISBURSEMENT OF EARNINGS FROM OFFENDERS FOR PAYMENT OF RESTITUTION WHILE OFFENDERS ARE HOUSED AT RESTITUTION CENTERS; TO REQUIRE COURT-ORDERED RESTITUTION TO BE PAID TO A VICTIM BEFORE COURT-ORDERED COSTS AND FINES ARE PAID; TO REQUIRE SUCH PAYMENT TO OCCUR DURING THE DOMICILE OF THE OFFENDERS IN RESTITUTION CENTERS; TO REQUIRE THE DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS TO MAKE A REPORT TO THE LEGISLATURE CONCERNING CERTAIN COSTS NOT COVERED BY DISBURSEMENT OF EARNINGS FROM OFFENDERS; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI:

SECTION 1. Section 99-37-21, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

99-37-21. (1) The Department of * * * Human Services and the Department of Corrections are hereby authorized to cooperate in the institution and administration of services at restitution centers as authorized by Section 99-37-19 and at other facilities which provide opportunities for restitution for criminal acts.

(2) The Department of * * * Human Services and the Department of Corrections are authorized and directed, jointly or separately:

(a) To seek funding from federal or other sources to provide the maximum supportive services for offenders and the families of offenders who are participating in restitution programs;

(b) To develop additional programs whereby offenders may be afforded opportunities to contribute to society and the support of their families through restitution programs; and

(c) To develop pilot programs of counseling, training and supervision for parolees whereby restitution may be accomplished; such programs may be residential or nonresidential as appropriate.

(3) (a) The Department of Corrections shall carry out the disbursement of restitution earnings in the following manner and order:

(i) Payment of room, board, personal living expenses and court-ordered restitution to a victim shall be disbursed before court-ordered costs or fines and shall occur during the domicile of an offender at a restitution center and upon discharge of such offender until paid in full.

(ii) Court-ordered costs and fines shall be eligible for disbursement upon payment in full of court-ordered restitution.

(b) Each fiscal year the Department of Corrections shall issue a report to the Appropriations Committees of the House of Representatives and Senate documenting the total cost of room and board of the restitution centers not covered by the disbursement of earnings.

SECTION 2. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 2015.