ON MARCH 31, 2025, THE HOUSE ADOPTED AMENDMENT #1 AND PASSED HOUSE BILL 4644, AS AMENDED. AMENDMENT #1 rewrites the bill to, instead, make the following revisions to present law:  Requires the department of correction to study the issues associated with constructing and operating a reentry facility that would house eligible inmates who are working toward return from incarceration into the community.  Requires the study to include all of the following:  A list of criteria to be used to determine the inmates best suited for being housed in the reentry facility, including educational and rehabilitative criteria.  The percentage of inmates who qualify for work, educational, or vocational training programs currently and who are not able to participate in such programs due to unavailability of positions or other prohibitive factors.  The most beneficial time in which an eligible inmate would qualify to be housed at a reentry facility that is no earlier than two years prior to the inmate's release eligibility date.  An evaluation of the issues associated with housing inmates in an environment that serves as a residential reentry facility, allowing eligible inmates to work during the day and return to the facility in the evenings.  An assessment of the resources needed to successfully operate a reentry facility, including, but not limited to, community and law enforcement partnerships.  A survey of other similar facilities in other states that may be in operation and the outcomes and issues associated with operating those facilities.  An implementation strategy for constructing and operating a reentry facility in this state.  The costs associated with constructing and operating a reentry facility, including an evaluation of both a state-funded and a public-private partnership option, and recommended locations for a reentry facility.  A list and evaluation of any other needs associated with constructing and operating a reentry facility, including, but not limited to, information sharing, intelligence exchange, community engagement, and transitional social services.  Requires all appropriate agencies of state government to provide assistance to the department for purposes of conducting the study.  Requires the department to compile a report of the department's findings and recommendations, which may include potential legislation. The report must be submitted to the speaker of the house of representatives and the speaker of the senate no later than January 1, 2026.  Requires the department to pay any costs associated with the study from the department's existing resources, which may include the department's reserve fund.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 4-6-106