ENROLLED HOUSE
BILL NO. 2998	By:	Steele, Peterson, Dorman, Denney, Jackson, Cox, Scott, Jett, Hilliard, Faught, Tibbs, McAffrey, McCullough, Sullivan, Morgan, McDaniel (Jeannie), Kern, Walker, Ownbey, Pittman, Johnson, Shelton, Billy and Hamilton of the House

				and

		Lamb, Bass, Easley, Leftwich, Garrison and Johnson (Constance) of the Senate

An Act relating to prisons and reformatories; authorizing the Department of Corrections to implement a pilot program for certain inmates; providing purpose of pilot program; stating functions of pilot program; authorizing the promulgation of rules; providing for codification; and providing an effective date.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF OKLAHOMA:

SECTION 1.     NEW LAW     A new section of law to be codified in the Oklahoma Statutes as Section 510.8b of Title 57, unless there is created a duplication in numbering, reads as follows:

A.  The Oklahoma Legislature, recognizing the need for increased community diversion programs and reentry services for nonviolent offenders and inmates who are also the primary caregiver to minor children, hereby authorizes the Department of Corrections to establish pilot programs that shall consist of private donations and state funds.  The purpose of the pilot programs shall be to provide diversion programs to reduce the high rate of incarceration for nonviolent offenders who are also the primary caregiver of minor children and to provide reentry services for inmates with minor children that both employ evidence-based practices and techniques. 

B.  The pilot diversion program may consist of, but shall not be limited to, the following:

1.  Identify the population of nonviolent offenders that are also the primary caregiver of minor children who have been charged with a criminal offense and are at risk of being incarcerated for such offense; and

2.  Develop a community-based diversion program that provides comprehensive and gender-specific services to offenders who are also the primary caregiver of minor children.

C.  The pilot reentry program may consist of, but shall not be limited to, the following:

1.  Identify the population of nonviolent inmates that have been sentenced to a term of incarceration under the custody of the Department of Corrections who, prior to incarceration, were the primary caregiver of minor children;

2.  Develop a comprehensive, gender-specific reentry plan for inmates who upon release from custody will be the primary caregiver of minor children;

3.  Modify existing reentry programs and services to better address the needs of inmates who upon release from custody will be the primary caregiver of minor children;

4.  Develop new reentry programs and services that focus on parenting and life skills, family supports and employment skills; 

5.  Develop or modify existing substance abuse treatment and rehabilitation programs offered to inmates who upon release from custody of the Department of Corrections will be the primary caregiver of minor children; and

6.  Develop partnerships within communities to assist in providing support services and employment opportunities to inmates who will be the primary caregiver of minor children after the inmate has been discharged from the custody of the Department of Corrections. 

D.  The Department of Corrections shall promulgate rules necessary to implement the provisions of this section.

SECTION 2.  This act shall become effective November 1, 2010.

Passed the House of Representatives the 20th day of May, 2010.

	
Presiding Officer of the House of
	Representatives

Passed the Senate the 21st day of May, 2010.

	
Presiding Officer of the Senate