HB 1140 - AS INTRODUCED

2000 SESSION

00-2099

09/01

HOUSE BILL 1140

AN ACT establishing a committee to study the department of corrections.

SPONSORS: Rep. Quandt, Rock 20; Sen. D'Allesandro, Dist 20

COMMITTEE: Criminal Justice and Public Safety

ANALYSIS

This bill establishes a committee to study the department of corrections, particularly with regard to its staffing and employment practices.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Explanation: Matter added to current law appears in bold italics.

Matter removed from current law appears [in brackets and struckthrough.]

Matter which is either (a) all new or (b) repealed and reenacted appears in regular type.

00-2099

09/01

STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE

In the Year of Our Lord Two Thousand

AN ACT establishing a committee to study the department of corrections.

Be it Enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court convened:

1 Committee Established. There is established a committee to study the department of corrections, particularly with regard to its staffing and employment practices.

2 Membership and Compensation.

I. The members of the committee shall be as follows:

(a) Three members of the house of representatives, at least one of whom shall be from the criminal justice and public safety committee, appointed by the speaker of the house.

(b) Three members of the senate, appointed by the president of the senate.

II. Members of the committee shall receive mileage at the legislative rate when attending to the duties of the committee.

3 Duties. The committee's study shall include, but shall not be limited to, staffing and employment practices, procedures and requirements, including:

I. Recruitment and retention of qualified staff.

II. The practice of using inmate labor for performing maintenance tasks.

III. Alternative staffing and employment policies which would address unfavorable or undesirable practices identified by the committee.

4 Input, Information, and Resources.

I. Two persons appointed by the exclusive bargaining agent of the employees of the department of corrections shall serve as non-voting members of the committee.

II. The committee shall seek input from the department of corrections, which shall make available such staff and information as the committee requires. The committee shall also seek input from other knowledgeable sources, including but not limited to:

(a) The American Corrections Association.

(b) United States Department of Justice.

(c) Corrections and Criminal Justice Coalition.

(d) National Commission on Correctional Health Care.

(e) Joint Commission on Accreditation of Health Care Organizations.

III. The committee shall have the same investigatory powers as the general court. The committee may take evidence under oath, issue subpoenas for records, and compel testimony.

5 Chairperson; Quorum. The members of the study committee shall elect a chairperson from among the members. The first meeting of the committee shall be called by the first-named house member. The first meeting of the committee shall be held within 45 days of the effective date of this section. Four members of the committee shall constitute a quorum.

6 Report. The committee shall report its findings and any recommendations for proposed legislation to the speaker of the house of representatives, the senate president, the house clerk, the senate clerk, the governor, and the state library on or before November 1, 2000.

7 Effective Date. This act shall take effect 60 days after its passage.