HB 1299 - DIGEST

(DIGEST AS ENACTED)

     Provides that the secretary of corrections may authorize an extraordinary medical placement for an offender when all of the following conditions exist:  (1) The offender has a medical condition that is serious enough to require costly care or treatment;

     (2) the offender poses a low risk to the community because he or she is physically incapacitated due to age or the medical condition; and

     (3) granting the extraordinary medical release will result in a cost savings to the state.

     Provides that an offender sentenced to death or to life imprisonment without the possibility of release or parole is not eligible for an extraordinary medical release under this act.

     Provides that the secretary shall require electronic monitoring for all offenders in extraordinary medical placement unless the electronic monitoring equipment interferes with the function of the offender's medical equipment or results in the loss of funding for the offender's medical care.  The secretary shall specify who shall provide the monitoring services and the terms under which the monitoring shall be performed.

     Authorizes the secretary to revoke an extraordinary medical release under this act at any time.

     Directs the secretary to report annually to the legislature on the number of offenders considered for an extraordinary medical release, the number of offenders who were granted such a release, the number of offenders who were denied such a release, the length of time between initial consideration and the decision to release for each offender who was released, the number of offenders granted an extraordinary medical release who were later returned to total confinement, and the cost savings realized by the state.