ARIZONA HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Fifty-sixth Legislature First Regular Session
	Senate: MAPS DP 7-0-0-0 | 3^rd Read DP 29-0-1-0 House: MAPS DP 15-0-0-0

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SB1609: transitional housing; DOC; contracts

Sponsor: Senator Kern, LD 27

Caucus & COW

Overview

For one year after the effective date of this act, the Arizona Department of Corrections (DOC) may contract only with a state licensed facility to provide transitional housing services for inmates.

History

DOC has an Inmate Programs and Reentry division that oversees different services and ensures inmates are placed in evidence-based programs geared toward their individual needs (DOC Programming and Reentry).

Current statute states that each entity that contracts with DOC to provide transition services must coordinate and establish a network that may include different organizations and services for eligible inmates. Types of services and assistance to provide include:

1) Placing the individual in employment, employment assistance and career counseling;

2) Basic academic education, general equivalency diploma preparation and postsecondary education job training;

3) Transitional needs, including housing, food or treatment services;

4) Assistance in finding insurance coverage for the individual and, if applicable, medical assistance, and if necessary, medication; and

5) Mentoring services from the network established by the contracted entity.

The contracted entity must coordinate with DOC to assist in placement of an inmate in the appropriate training programs and provide liaison services to: 1) DOC; 2) the Department of Health Services; 3) the governor's office; 4) county probation departments; and 5) community and faith-based organizations (A.R.S. § 31-282). 

Provisions

1. Stipulates that, for one year following the effective date of this act, DOC may enter into a contract, to provide transitional housing services for inmates, only with a state licensed facility. (Sec. 1)

2. Specifies, if any current contract expires within a year after the effective date of this act, that a further contract must be with a state licensed facility. (Sec. 1)

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                        SB 1609

Initials NM/CV             Page 0 Caucus & COW

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