ARIZONA HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Fifty-sixth Legislature First Regular Session
	Senate: JUD DPA 7-0-0-0 | 3^rd Read DPA 22-7-0-0 House: MAPS DPA 15-0-0-0

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SB 1091: prisoners; transition services; noncontracted entities

Sponsor: Senator Kern, LD 27

House Engrossed

Overview

Instructs the Department of Corrections (DOC) to allow noncontracted private or nonprofit behavioral health providers (noncontracted providers) to provide eligible inmates in its prisoner transition program with transition services.

History

Pursuant to A.R.S. § 31-281, DOC provides a transition program for eligible inmates. This transition program is to train mentors and offer at least psychoeducational counseling and case management services. It may additionally provide counseling and services for: 1) substance abuse treatment; 2) anger management; 3) cognitive behavioral therapy; 4) parenting skills and family reunification training; 5) further education; and 6) job placement. DOC contracts with private or nonprofit entities to provide these services to eligible inmates.

Provisions

1. Requires DOC to allow noncontracted providers to provide eligible inmates in its prisoner transition program with transition services. (Sec. 1)

2. Permits an eligible inmate in the transition program to choose a noncontracted provider to provide his transition services. (Sec. 1)

3. Stipulates the noncontracted provider must meet various requirements before it can provide transition services, it must have a service capacity of at least 200 individuals and agree to:

a) Providing transition services to an eligible inmate;

b) Be licensed by the Arizona Department of Health Services;

c) Train mentors or certify that mentors are trained;

d) Provide case management and inreach to eligible inmates before they become eligible for transition services;

e) Supply various specified counseling, education, health, transitional and case management services;

f) Provide physical health and wellness services; and

g) Furnish information to DOC to allow DOC to conduct its annual study to determine the recidivism rate of eligible inmates who receive transition services. (Sec. 2)

4. Stipulates, if DOC determines that a noncontracted provider is not meeting statutory requirements, that the noncontracted provider is to be given opportunity to comply. (Sec. 2)

5. Requires, if a noncontracted provider does not comply with statutory standards after being given opportunity by DOC, eligible inmates using that noncontracted provider to instead use an entity providing transition services that is contracted with DOC. (Sec. 2)

6. Defines eligible person. (Sec. 2)

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10.                   SB 1091

11. Initials NM Page 0 House Engrossed

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