2016 -- H 7903

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LC004998

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2016

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A N   A C T

RELATING TO STATE AFFAIRS AND GOVERNMENT - CORRECTIONS DEPARTMENT

     Introduced By: Representatives Almeida, Abney, Barros, Maldonado, and Williams

     Date Introduced: March 10, 2016

     Referred To: House Judiciary

     (Corrections)

It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

     SECTION 1. Section 42-56-38 of the General Laws in Chapter 42-56 entitled

"Corrections Department" is hereby amended to read as follows:

     42-56-38. Assessment of costs. -- (a) Each sentenced offender committed to the care,

custody or control of the department of corrections shall reimburse the state for the cost or the

reasonable portion of the cost incurred by the state relating to that commitment; provided,

however, that a person committed, awaiting trial and not convicted, shall not be liable for the

reimbursement. Items of cost shall include physical services and commodities such as food,

medical, clothing and specialized housing, as well as social services such as specialized

supervision and counseling. Costs shall be assessed by the director of corrections, or his or her

designee, based upon each person's ability to pay, following a public hearing of proposed fee

schedules. Each offender's family income and number of dependents shall be among the factors

taken into consideration when determining ability to pay. Moneys received under this section

shall be deposited as general revenues. The director shall promulgate rules and regulations

necessary to carry out the provisions of this section. The rules and regulations shall provide that

the financial situation of persons, financially dependent on the person, be considered prior to the

determination of the amount of reimbursement. This section shall not be effective until the date

the rules and regulations are filed with the office of the secretary of state.

      (b) Notwithstanding the provision of subsection (a), or any rule or regulation

promulgated by the director, any sentenced offender who is ordered or directed to the work

release program, shall pay no less than thirty percent (30%) of his or her gross net salary for room

and board.

     SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.

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EXPLANATION

BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

OF

A N   A C T

RELATING TO STATE AFFAIRS AND GOVERNMENT - CORRECTIONS DEPARTMENT

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     This act would provide inmates who are on work release reimburse the state for costs of

confinement by paying no less than thirty percent (30%) of their net salary for room and board.

     This act would take effect upon passage.

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