Senate Bill 2146

AN ACT TO CREATE A TASK FORCE TO CONDUCT A STUDY OF LONG-TERM PRISONERS, REDUCTION OF COSTS OF INCARCERATION OF LONG-TERM PRISONERS, ALTERNATIVES TO INCARCERATION, AND SUCCESSFUL LONG-TERM RELEASE PROGRAMS SUCH AS LIFE LINE; TO PROVIDE FOR A REPORT TO THE 2007 REGULAR SESSION OF THE LEGISLATURE; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

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

SECTION 1. (1) There is hereby created a task force to conduct a study of long-term prisoners, ways to reduce the costs of incarceration, alternatives to incarceration that ensure the highest level of public safety in Mississippi and to study the successful long-term release programs such as Life Line in Canada. The membership of the task force shall include the following thirteen (13) members:

(a) The Chairman of the Senate Corrections Committee, who will serve as temporary chairman of the task force;

(b) One (1) member of the Senate appointed by the Lieutenant Governor;

(d) One (1) member of the House appointed by the Speaker of the House;

(e) Three (3) members appointed by the Governor;

(f) The Commissioner of Corrections;

(g) The Chairman of the Parole Board;

(h) The State Auditor, or his designee; and

(i) The Attorney General, or his designee.

(2) The task force shall make a report of its findings and recommendations, including necessary legislation, to the Legislature, the Lieutenant Governor and the Governor for implementation in the 2008 Regular Session.

(3) The temporary chairman of the task force shall call a meeting within thirty (30) days of the effective date of this bill and the task force shall elect a chairman from its membership, in addition to such other officers as it may deem appropriate. A majority of the members of the committee shall constitute a quorum. All members shall be notified in writing of all meetings, such notices to be mailed at least five (5) days prior to the date on which a meeting is to be held.

(4) Legislative members of the task force shall be paid from the contingent expense funds of their respective houses in the same amounts as provided for committee meetings when the Legislature is not in session. Nonlegislative members of the task force shall be reimbursed for actual necessary expenses in attending called meetings of the task force, to be paid from any funds made available for such purpose by the Legislature.

(5) Upon presentation of its final report, the task force shall be dissolved.

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