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2021 Session

Budget Amendments - HB1800 (Member Request)

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Chief Patron: Hope
Interagency Workgroup on Local Criminal Justice Diversion Programs (language only)

Item 359 #2h

Item 359 #2h

Health and Human Resources
Department of Social Services

Language

Page 440 after line 43. insert:

"K. "The Department of Social Services shall establish an interagency work group to develop recommendations for implementation of local criminal justice diversion programs. The working group should include the appropriate offices and agencies of the Health and Human Resources, Commerce and Trade, Public Safety and Homeland Security Secretariat, as well as the Governor's Chief Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Officer. The interagency work group shall work with community action agencies, local governments including local law enforcement, representatives of the judicial system, civil rights organizations, as well as other stakeholders to develop locally-based solutions. These programs should provide alternatives to arrest, conviction or incarceration for lower-level offenses. Each diversion program should offer standards for providing persons charged with lower-level offenses alternatives to arrest, conviction or incarceration for lower-level offenses. The scope of these programs should not include behavioral health issues as those priorities are being addressed elsewhere. The recommendations shall provide for two-generation whole family strategies that deal with meeting the needs of the potential offender and his or her entire family by addressing issues related to poverty including homelessness. The Department of Social Services shall submit its recommendations to the House Appropriations Committee and the Senate Finance and Appropriations Committee no later than September 30, 2021."



Explanation

(This amendment adds language requiring the Department of Social Services, as administrator of the federal Community Services Block Grant, to establish an interagency work group on local criminal justice diversion programs with a reporting date of September 30, 2021 to the money committees.)