HOUSE BILL REPORT

                  HB 2266

             As Reported By House Committee on:

                       Human Services

Title:  An act relating to offender payment for special services.

Brief Description:  Requiring inmates to pay for special services.

Sponsor(s):  Representatives Hargrove, Riley, Leonard, Winsley, Wang, Ludwig, Roland, D. Sommers, Paris, Dorn, H. Myers, May, Sheldon, Bowman, Van Luven and Chandler; by request of Department of Corrections.

Brief History:

  Reported by House Committee on:

Human Services, January 20, 1992, DP.

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON

HUMAN SERVICES

Majority Report: Do pass.  Signed by 11 members:  Representatives Leonard, Chair; Riley, Vice Chair; Winsley, Ranking Minority Member; Tate, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Anderson; Beck; Brekke; Hargrove; Hochstatter; R. King; and H. Myers.

Staff:  Antonio Sanchez (786-7383).

Background:  Felony offenders sentenced to terms involving community supervision, community services, community placement, or legal financial obligation are under the supervision of the secretary of the Department of Corrections.  These felony offenders are required to follow the secretary's defined instructions including remaining within prescribed geographical boundaries and notifying the community corrections officer of any change in the offender's address or employment.  Currently there are 57,300 offenders under community supervision.  The Department of Corrections is allowed, under current law, to use various methods of offender monitoring such as telephone reporting, day reporting or electronic monitoring.  Offenders are not required to pay for these reporting services options.

Summary of Bill:  The cost of all special monitoring services used by offenders under the supervision of the secretary of the Department of Corrections can be charged to the offender.  If the offender is unable to pay for such services, the Department of Corrections can chose to pay for the services.

Fiscal Note:  Not requested.

Effective Date:  Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.

Testimony For:  This bill will clarify in statute that the Department of Corrections can charge for special monitoring services.

Testimony Against:  None.

Witnesses:  Dave Savage, DOC.