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

				and

		Lamb of the Senate

( prisons and reformatories – rules - 		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 female offenders and inmates, 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 female incarceration and to provide reentry services 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 female offenders 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 female offenders.
C.  The pilot reentry program may consist of, but shall not be limited to, the following:
1.  Identify the population of nonviolent female inmates with children who have been sentenced to a term of incarceration upon reception to the Department of Corrections;
2.  Develop a comprehensive, gender-specific reentry plan for female inmates with children;
3.  Modify existing reentry programs and services to better address the needs of female inmates with 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 female inmates of the Department of Corrections; and
6.  Develop partnerships within communities to assist in providing support services and employment opportunities to female inmates with 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 2nd day of March, 2010.

	
Presiding Officer of the House of
	Representatives

Passed the Senate the ____ day of __________, 2010.

	
Presiding Officer of the Senate