HLS 18RS-2087 ENGROSSED
2018 Regular Session
HOUSE BILL NO. 817
BY REPRESENTATIVE JAMES
PUBLIC SFTY/DEPARTMENT: Requires the collection and reporting of information
regarding inmate participation in certain work programs
1 AN ACT
2To enact R.S. 15:827(A)(8), relative to the Department of Public Safety and Corrections; to
3 provide for the collection of data and information relative to inmates participating
4 in any program that offers the inmate compensation for services or work performed,
5 on-the-job training, or industry certification; to require the Department of Public
6 Safety and Corrections to annually report the information and data collected to the
7 legislature; to provide for the information to be collected and reported; to authorize
8 the department to adopt any rules or regulations necessary to establish the system for
9 collecting and reporting the information and data; and to provide for related matters.
10Be it enacted by the Legislature of Louisiana:
11 Section 1. R.S. 15:827(A)(8) is hereby enacted to read as follows:
12 ยง827. Duties of Department of Public Safety and Corrections
13 A. In addition to other duties imposed upon the department it shall be the
14 duty of the department to:
15 * * *
16 (8)(a) Establish a system to collect information and data on inmates
17 participating in any program that offers the inmate compensation for services or
18 work performed, on-the-job training, or industry certification including but not
19 limited to information and data for all of the following: inmates assigned to Prison
20 Enterprises' industrial, agricultural, service or other programs; inmates who are
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HB NO. 817
1 Certified Academic Tutors and Certified Vocational Tutors; inmates assigned to a
2 certified Private Sector/Prison Industry Enhancement program; inmates participating
3 in a work release program established and administered by a sheriff; inmates
4 participating in the work release program established and administered by the
5 Department of Public Safety and Corrections; and inmates participating in a program
6 established and administered pursuant to the Reentry Advisory Council and Offender
7 Rehabilitation Workforce Development Act.
8 (b) The department shall annually report to the legislature, by July first of
9 each year, the information and data collected pursuant to Subparagraph (a) of this
10 Paragraph.
11 (c) The information and data collected and reported pursuant to this
12 Paragraph shall include but not be limited to the following: the number of inmates
13 participating in each program, the rate of compensation and the amount of each
14 inmate's wages, the amount deducted from the wages of each inmate, the maximum
15 number of inmates that can participate in each program, the number of inmates
16 participating in each program, the number of inmates that receive industry
17 certification or credentials for participating in a program, and the cost of obtaining
18 training or certification by the inmate. The information shall also include the amount
19 of funds deposited into and disbursed from the Department of Public Safety and
20 Corrections, Prison Enterprises Fund.
21 (d) The department may adopt any regulation or rule necessary to implement
22 the provisions of this Paragraph. Any rule adopted pursuant to the provisions of this
23 Subparagraph shall be done in accordance with the Administrative Procedure Act.
24 * * *
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HB NO. 817
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 817 Engrossed 2018 Regular Session James
Abstract: Requires the collection and reporting of information related to an inmate's
participation in programs which offer the inmate compensation for services or work
performed, on-the-job training, or industry certification.
Present law provides for the current duties of the Dept. of Public Safety and Corrections,
including the collection of data to study efficacy and performance of policies. The
department is required to make an annual report to the governor regarding work of the
department, results of inspections, and recommendations to the legislature affecting the
department. The department is also responsible for the creation of training programs for
inmates and offenders.
Proposed law retains present law and adds a requirement that the Dept. of Public Safety and
Corrections establish a system for the collection of information and data on inmates
participating in any program that offers the inmate compensation for services or work
performed, on-the-job training, or industry certification and requires the department to report
the information and data to the legislature by July first of each year.
In this regard, proposed law requires the collection and reporting of information and data
related to all of the following: inmates assigned to Prison Enterprises' industrial,
agricultural, service or other programs; inmates who are Certified Academic Tutors and
Certified Vocational Tutors; inmates assigned to a certified Private Sector/Prison Industry
Enhancement program; inmates participating in a work release program established and
administered by a sheriff; inmates participating in the work release program established and
administered by the Department of Public Safety and Corrections; and inmates participating
in a program established and administered pursuant to the Reentry Advisory Council and
Offender Rehabilitation Workforce Development Act.
Proposed law provides that the information and data collected shall include but not be
limited to the number of inmates participating in each program, the rate of compensation and
the amount of each inmate's wages, the amount deducted from the wages of each inmate, the
maximum number of inmates that can participate in each program, the number of inmates
participating in each program, the number of inmates that receive industry certification or
credentials for participating in a program, and the cost of obtaining training or certification
by the inmate. Further requires the information to include the amount of funds deposited
into and disbursed from the Department of Public Safety and Corrections, Prison Enterprises
Fund.
Proposed law authorizes the department to adopt any regulation or rule necessary to
implement the provisions of proposed law.
(Adds R.S. 15:827(A)(8))
Summary of Amendments Adopted by House
The Committee Amendments Proposed by House Committee on Administration of
Criminal Justice to the original bill:
1. Change the date on which the department is required to annually report to the
legislature from January first to July first.
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HB NO. 817
2. Add that the information collected and reported by the department shall include
the amount of funds deposited into and disbursed from the Dept. of Public Safety
and Corrections, Prison Enterprises Fund.
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CODING: Words in struck through type are deletions from existing law; words underscored
are additions.