Bill H.176 aims to establish a clear timeline for the Department of Corrections to implement its community restitution program, known as work crew, by July 1, 2025. The bill mandates the reinstitution of previous policies that were rescinded, specifically Department Policy #339.01 and Department Policy #392.01, which governed the operations of the community restitution program. Additionally, the bill allows the Department of Corrections to set limitations on the number of days an offender can be ordered to serve on a single mittimus and the total number of outstanding work crew days required for eligibility.

The proposed legislation emphasizes the importance of community restitution and sets specific requirements for the number of work crew days, mandating a minimum of 20 days for a single mittimus and 60 days for multiple mittimuses. The act is designed to enhance the structure and effectiveness of the community restitution program, ensuring that offenders contribute positively to the community while serving their sentences. The bill will take effect upon passage.