PREFILED DEC 23 2019
|
REFERENCE TITLE: corrections oversight committee; ombudsman; duties |
|
State of Arizona House of Representatives Fifty-fourth Legislature Second Regular Session 2020
|
|
HB 2069 |
|
|
|
Introduced by Representative Blackman
|
AN ACT
Amending title 41, chapter 11, article 1, Arizona Revised Statutes, by adding section 41-1610.02; relating to the state department of corrections.
(TEXT OF BILL BEGINS ON NEXT PAGE)
Be it enacted by the Legislature of the State of Arizona:
Section 1. Title 41, chapter 11, article 1, Arizona Revised Statutes, is amended by adding section 41-1610.02, to read:
41-1610.02. Corrections oversight committee; corrections ombudsman; violation; classification
A. The corrections oversight committee is established consisting of the following members:
1. Two members of the senate who are appointed by the president of the senate and who are Not members of the same political party. The president shall select one of these members to serve as cochairperson.
2. Two members of the house of representatives who are appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives and who are Not members of the same political party. The speaker shall select one of these members to serve as cochairperson.
3. The director or the director's designee.
4. The following members who are appointed by the governor:
(a) One representative of a prisoner advocacy organization.
(b) One representative of an organization that provides training or rehabilitation programs for incarcerated inmates.
(c) One representative of an organization that provides training or employment placement services to inmates after their release from confinement.
(d) One physician who is licensed pursuant to title 32, chapter 13 or 17 and who specializes in family medicine or internal medicine.
(e) One representative of a victims' advocacy organization.
B. The member who serves pursuant to subsection A, paragraph 3 is a nonvoting member and is not a member for the purposes of determining a quorum.
C. Members who are appointed pursuant to subsection A, paragraph 4 serve three year terms and may not be current employees of the department.
d. The committee shall meet as the cochairpersons deem necessary or on the call of the majority of the voting members.
E. Committee members are not eligible to receive compensation but are eligible for reimbursement of expenses pursuant to title 38, chapter 4, article 2.
F. the committee shall monitor, study and make efforts to improve transparency, fairness, impartiality and accountability in correctional institutions and facilities in this state.
G. the committee shall appoint a corrections ombudsman. the corrections ombudsman is responsible for the CONTEMPORANEOUS public oversight of the department's internal affairs and disciplinary processes. The corrections ombudsman may provide oversight of any department investigation relating to the well‑being, treatment, discipline, safety or other matter that concerns a person who is under the jurisdiction of the department, including personnel investigations.
H. A person who obstructs an investigation that is being conducted by the corrections ombudsman is guilty of a class 1 misdemeanor.
Sec. 2. Initial terms of members of the corrections oversight committee
A. Notwithstanding section 41-1610.02, Arizona Revised Statutes, as added by this act, the initial terms of members who are appointed pursuant to section 41-1610.02, subsection A, paragraph 4, Arizona Revised Statutes, as added by this act, are:
1. One term ending January 1, 2022.
2. Two terms ending January 1, 2023.
3. Two terms ending January 1, 2024.
B. The governor shall make all subsequent appointments as prescribed by statute.