DIGEST
The digest printed below was prepared by House Legislative Services. It constitutes no part of the
legislative instrument. The keyword, one-liner, abstract, and digest do not constitute part of the law
or proof or indicia of legislative intent. [R.S. 1:13(B) and 24:177(E)]
HB 489 Engrossed 2017 Regular Session Leger
Abstract: Provides for the reinvestment of savings realized as a result of criminal justice reforms
and requires the collection of certain data and information in this regard.
Proposed law requires the Dept. of Public Safety and Corrections (DPS&C), in conjunction with the
La. Commission on Law Enforcement and Administration of Criminal Justice, to collect, track,
analyze, forecast, and distribute certain information on prison admissions, parole, community
supervision, medical furlough, certified treatment and rehabilitation programs, workforce
development work release programs, and cost savings and reinvestment.
Proposed law requires DPS&C to provide the information collected to the commissioner of
administration and the Joint Legislative Committee on the Budget by June 30, 2018, and to provide
updated information annually thereafter. Further requires DPS&C to make the information collected
publicly available by June 30, 2018, and to update the information annually thereafter.
Proposed law authorizes DPS&C to enter into a memorandum of understanding or cooperative
endeavor agreement with a third-party provider to assist with the collection, tracking, analysis,
forecasting, and distribution of the data and information collected, and to adopt rules and regulations
as are necessary to implement the provisions of proposed law.
Proposed law provides that in FY 2017-2018, 70% of the annual savings realized shall be deemed
a bona fide obligation of the state to be allocated as follows:
(1)30% to DPS&C to award incentive grants to parishes, judicial districts, and nonprofit
community partner organizations to expand evidence-backed prison alternatives and reduce
admissions to the state prison system.
(2)20% to the La. Commission on Law Enforcement and the Administration of Criminal Justice
to award competitive grants for victim services.
(3)The remainder to DPS&C for targeted investments in reentry services, community
supervision, educational and vocational programming, transitional work programs, and
contracts with parish jails and other local facilities that house state inmates to incentivize
expansion of recidivism reduction programming and treatment services.
Further provides in FY 2018-2019 and thereafter, 20% of the annual savings realized shall be
deemed a bona fide obligation of the state to be allocated by DPS&C for juvenile justice initiatives and programs, and 50% of the annual savings realized shall be deemed a bona fide obligation of the
state to be allocated as provided in Paragraphs (1) through (3) above.
(Adds R.S. 15:827.2 and 827.3)
Summary of Amendments Adopted by House
The Committee Amendments Proposed by House Committee on Administration of Criminal
Justice to the original bill:
1. Provide that the La. Commission on Law Enforcement and Administration of Criminal
Justice, instead of the La. Supreme Court, shall work in conjunction with the Dept. of
Public Safety and Corrections to collect, track, analyze, forecast, and distribute the data.
2. Change the date that the data and information is to be provided to the entities listed in
proposed law from Dec. 31, 2017, to June 30, 2018.
3. Instead of authorizing the Dept. of Public Safety and Corrections to contract with third
parties for the collection, tracking, analysis, forecasting, and distribution of the
information and data, authorize the department to enter into a memorandum of
understanding or a cooperative endeavor agreement with a third party for such purposes.
4. Remove sentencing data from the type of information that is to be collected.
5. Expand the provision regarding the collection of information on work release programs
to include all types of work release programs.
6. With regard to the collection of data on the reinvestment of savings, provide that the data
shall continue and include legislative measures from future legislative sessions.
7. Provide that in FY 2018-2019 and thereafter, 20% of the annual savings shall be
allocated for juvenile justice initiatives and programs.
8. Clarify the language regarding the distribution of funds that are deemed to be a bona fide
obligation.