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ARIZONA STATE SENATE
Fifty-Sixth Legislature, Second Regular Session
mental health transition program; release
Purpose
Allows inmates who are eligible for the Mental Health Transition Pilot Program and who have not been convicted of specified violent crimes to be released from confinement three months earlier than the inmate's earliest release date.
Background
ADCRR is required to contract with private and nonprofit entities that provide eligible inmates with transition services in the community for up to 90 days. To be considered eligible for transition services, an inmate must: 1) not be convicted of sexual offenses or violent crimes as outlined; 2) not have any felony detainers; 3) agree in writing to provide specific information after the inmate is released to be used for recidivism reports; 4) have made satisfactory progress by complying with all programming on the inmate's individualized corrections plan; 5) be classified as minimum or medium custody; and 6) not have been found in violation of any major violent rule during the inmate's current period of incarceration or in violation of any other major rule within the previous six months (A.R.S. § 31-281).
ADCRR is also
required to provide eligible inmates with transition services through a Mental Health
Transition Pilot Program. To be considered eligible for mental health
transition services, an inmate must, at a minimum: 1) agree in writing to
provide specified information to fallow for ADCRR to fulfill outlined reporting
requirements regarding the pilot program; and
2) be diagnosed as seriously mentally ill and, on release, be eligible for
AHCCCS benefits. An eligible inmate may not be released to the mental health
transition program before the inmate's earliest release date, and must receive
services in the program for at least 90 days (A.R.S.
§ 31-291).
There is no anticipated fiscal impact to the state General Fund associated with this legislation.
Provisions
1. Allows inmates eligible for the Mental Health Transition Pilot Program to be released from confinement three months earlier than the inmate's earliest release date, based on the inmate's risk, need and ADCRR rule, and if the inmate has not been convicted of:
a) specified sexual offenses;
b) arson related offenses; or
c) violent crimes involving death or physical injury or any criminal use of a deadly weapon or dangerous instrument.
2. Specifies that eligible inmates must receive services from the Mental Health Transition Pilot Program for either at least 90 days, or for the duration of the inmate's release.
3. Makes conforming changes.
4. Becomes effective on the general effective date.
House Action
MAPS 1/29/24 DP 14-0-0-0
3rd Read 2/29/24 52-7-0-0-1
Prepared by Senate Research
March 11, 2024
ZD/cs