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2023 Session

Budget Amendments - SB800 (Committee Approved)

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Office of the Ombudsman for the Department of Corrections (SB 994)

Item 392 #1s

Item 392 #1s

First Year - FY2023 Second Year - FY2024
Public Safety and Homeland Security
Secretary of Public Safety and Homeland Security FY2023 $0 FY2024 $750,000 GF
FY2023 0.00 FY2024 5.00 FTE

Language
Page 481, line 4, strike "$723,977" and insert "$1,473,977".

Page 481, after line 48, insert:

"E. Out of the amounts appropriated in this Item is $750,000 the second year from the general fund for start-up costs for an Office of the Department of Corrections Ombudsman ("Office") with responsibilties related to the improvement of conditions for inmates and employees at the Department's facilities. The Office may be co-located with the Department but shall report directly to the Secretary of Public Safety and Homeland Security. The Office shall have the powers and duties established by Senate Bill 994 but, notwithstanding the provisions of Senate Bill 994, shall perform the duties to the greatest extent practicable from such funds as appropriated. The Office shall focus its efforts on: (i) providing oversight over the Department's existing grievance process for inmates and employees; (ii) establishing a uniform reporting sytem to collect and analyze complaints from DOC facilities to identify systemic issues; (iii) recommending policies and procedures to address such systemic issues; (iv) assisting inmates and employees with self-advoacy in the grievance process; and (v) conducting investigations and inspection of DOC facilities. The Office shall report to the Corrections Oversight Committee established pursuant to Senate Bill 994."



Explanation

(This amendment provides $750,000 GF the second year for start-up costs for an Office of the Department of Corrections Ombudsman.)