MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

2022 Regular Session

To: Corrections

By: Senator(s) Sparks

Senate Bill 2600

(As Sent to Governor)

AN ACT TO CREATE A STUDY COMMITTEE TO STUDY THE CHALLENGES OF MONITORING FORMERLY INCARCERATED INDIVIDUALS TO REDUCE RECIDIVISM THROUGH TARGETED SUPPORT, SUPERVISION AND SKILLS ATTAINMENT, AND TO RECOMMEND SOLUTIONS; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

     BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI:

     SECTION 1.  (1)  There is created a study committee for the purpose of studying the challenges of monitoring the formerly incarcerated individuals in the pursuit of the reduction of recidivism through targeted support, supervision and skills attainment, and for recommending solutions.  The committee shall be comprised of the following nine (9) members:

          (a)  Three (3) members of the Senate, to be appointed by the Lieutenant Governor;

          (b)  Three (3) members of the House, to be appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives;

          (c)  The Commissioner of the Department of Corrections, or a designee, as an ex officio nonvoting member;

          (d)  The Chairman of the Mississippi Parole Board, or a designee, as an ex officio nonvoting member; and

          (e)  The Executive Director of Accelerate Mississippi, or a designee, as an ex officio nonvoting member.

     (2)  Appointments to the study committee shall be made within thirty (30) days of the effective date of this act.  At the first meeting, the committee shall elect from among its membership a chairman, a vice chairman and any other officers determined to be necessary, and shall adopt rules for transacting business and keeping records.  The study committee shall develop and report its findings to the Legislature on or before December 1, 2022.

     (3)  A majority of the members of the study committee shall constitute a quorum.  In the adoption of rules, resolutions and reports, and in the election of a chairman, vice chairman and any other officers determined to be necessary, an affirmative vote of a majority of the members present shall be required.

     (4)  The Commissioner of the Department of Corrections shall provide the staff and other support necessary for the study committee to perform its duties.

(5)  To effectuate the purposes of this act, any department, division, board, bureau, committee, institution or agency of the state, or any political subdivision thereof, shall, at the request of the chairman of the study committee, provide the facilities, assistance, information and data needed to enable the study committee to carry out its duties.

     (6)  The study committee shall be dissolved on or before January 1, 2023.

     SECTION 2.  This act shall take effect and be in force from and after its passage.