The bill amends Section 42-56-20.3 of the General Laws to establish a community correctional program specifically for women offenders within the Department of Corrections. This program allows for the contracting of private agencies to assist in its implementation, while also limiting the civil liability of these agencies and their employees to the same extent as state agencies. Eligible participants include women sentenced to two years or less in the women's division of adult correctional institutions or those awaiting trial. The program director is tasked with creating individualized rehabilitation plans for each participant, which must be approved by the Department of Corrections and the sentencing judge before the individual can be released to participate in the program.

Additionally, the bill deletes provisions related to the assessment of costs for women in the community corrections program, specifically those associated with prostitution-related offenses. This includes the removal of penalties that were previously assessed against defendants charged with such offenses, which would have included monetary assessments based on the nature of the offense. The act is set to take effect upon passage.

Statutes affected:
5357: 42-56-20.3