The bill amends Section 42-56-20.3 of the General Laws in Chapter 42-56, titled "Corrections Department," to establish a community correctional program specifically for women offenders within the Department of Corrections. The amendment allows the Department of Corrections to contract with private agencies to implement this program, with the civil liability of these agencies and their employees being limited in the same manner and to the same extent as state agencies and employees. The program is designed to provide eligible women, who are sentenced to two years or less or are awaiting trial, with an individualized plan that addresses employment, education, housing, restitution, community service, and other social services or counseling as needed. The plan must be approved by the program director, the director of the Department of Corrections, and the sentencing judge. Participants who violate the terms of their individualized plan may be required to serve the balance of their sentence in a classification determined by the director.

The bill also includes deletions from the current law. Specifically, it removes subsection (e) and its subparts (1), (2), and (3), which previously assessed additional penalties for prostitution-related offenses. These penalties ranged from $500 or 10% of any fine for felonies to $350 or 10% of any fine for misdemeanors, with the judge having discretion to suspend payment on more than three counts or charges. The deleted language also stated that these assessments would be deposited as general revenues. The explanation by the Legislative Council clarifies that the act repeals provisions assessing costs for women in the community corrections program for women offenders. The act will take effect upon passage.

Statutes affected:
2225  SUB A: 42-56-20.3
2225: 42-56-20.3, 11-34.1-4