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Chapter 936
(Senate Bill 1036)
AN ACT concerning
Task Force on the Creation of a Division of Returning Citizens and Expanded
Reentry Services – Establishment
FOR the purpose of establishing the Task Force on the Creation of a Division of Returning
Citizens and Expanded Reentry Services; requiring the Task Force to submit a
certain report to the General Assembly on or before a certain date; and generally
relating to the Task Force on the Creation of a Division of Returning Citizens and
Expanded Reentry Services.
SECTION 1. BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF MARYLAND,
That:
(a) There is a Task Force on the Creation of a Division of Returning Citizens and
Expanded Reentry Services.
(b) The Task Force consists of:
(1) one member of the Senate of Maryland, appointed by the President of
the Senate;
(2) one member of the House of Delegates, appointed by the Speaker of the
House;
(3) the Secretary of Public Safety and Correctional Services, or the
Secretary’s designee;
(4) the Secretary of Housing and Community Development, or the
Secretary’s designee;
(5) the Secretary of Health, or the Secretary’s designee;
(6) the Secretary of Human Services, or the Secretary’s designee;
(7) the Secretary of Labor, or the Secretary’s designee;
(8) the Public Defender, or the Public Defender’s designee; and
(9) the Attorney General, or the Attorney General’s designee;
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(10) a member of the Division of Parole and Probation in the Department of
Public Safety and Correctional Services, designated by the Secretary of Public Safety and
Correctional Services; and
(9) (11) the following members, appointed by the Governor:
(i) one individual who was formerly incarcerated in a State
correctional facility;
(ii) one individual who is the family member of a male individual
who is currently incarcerated in a State correctional facility;
(iii) one individual who is the family member of a female individual
who is currently incarcerated in a State correctional facility;
(iv) one representative of the Maryland State’s Attorneys’
Association, recommended by the President of the Maryland State’s Attorneys’ Association;
(v) one representative of the Lived Experience Advisory Committee;
(vi) one representative of Maryland Legal Aid;
(vii) one representative of Life After Release;
(viii) one representative of the Maryland Reentry Resource Center;
(ix) one representative of the Maryland Equita ble Justice
Collaborative, recommended by the cochairs of the Maryland Equitable Justice
Collaborative;
(x) three representatives from county workforce development
programs;
(xi) two representatives from county reentry organizations; and
(xii) two representatives of a nonprofit organization focused on
reentry of incarcerated individuals.
(c) The members of the Task Force shall elect a chair from among the members
of the Task Force.
(d) The Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services shall provide staff
for the Task Force.
(e) A member of the Task Force:
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(1) may not receive compensation as a member of the Task Force; but
(2) is entitled to reimbursement for expenses under the Standard State
Travel Regulations, as provided in the State budget.
(f) A member of the Task Force serves at the pleasure of the person who
appointed the member.
(g) At the first meeting of the Task Force that occurs on or after June 1, 2024, the
Task Force shall vote to adopt a code of conduct providing for the acceptable conduct of
Task Force members.
(f) (h) The Task Force shall:
(1) identify and assess the reentry services that exist in the State;
(2) identify gaps in reentry services currently provided in the State;
(3) assess the markers of successful reentry;
(4) ensure that the recommendations of the Task Force equally consider
returning citizens regardless of gender;
(5) develop a plan to establish a Division of Returning Citizens within the
Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services to:
(i) assess measures of reentry success;
(ii) coordinate existing Department and community reentry
programs;
(iii) remove barriers to reentry;
(iv) empower residents to break the cycle of recidivism; and
(v) connect incarcerated individuals to pre–release and postrelease
assistance; and
(6) develop a plan to expand the following services for individuals in the
State after release from incarceration:
(i) housing services, including:
1. a needs assessment before an individual is released;
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2. assistance in finding a halfway house, family home, or
apartment;
3. transportation to an individual’s home on release;
4. referral to first–time home buyer programs; and
5. other housing services currently provided by the Re–entry
and Transition Services Unit;
(ii) employment services, including:
1. a needs assessment before an individual is released;
2. employment and entrepreneur training;
3. resume assistance;
4. assistance obtaining vital documents and State
identification;
5. connection to employers; and
6. other employment services currently provided by the
Re–entry and Transition Services Unit;
(iii) socialization services, including:
1. a needs assessment before an individual is released;
2. financial literacy training;
3. connection with a mentor;
4. technology acclimation and training; and
5. other socialization services currently provided by the
Re–entry and Transition Services Unit;
(iv) health services, including:
1. a needs assessment before an individual is released;
2. connection to:
A. a primary care provider; WES MOORE, Governor Ch. 936
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B. mental health services;
C. dental care;
D. anger management therapy;
E. substance abuse counseling; and
F. nutrition counseling; and
3. other health services currently provided by the Re–entry
and Transition Services Unit;
(v) legal assistance, including:
1. a needs assessment before an individual is released;
2. assistance with obtaining child support;
3. assistance with expungement of criminal records; and
4. other legal services currently provided by the Re–entry
and Transition Services Unit;
(vi) education services, including:
1. a needs assessment before an individual is released;
2. connection to GED programs;
3. connection to postsecondary education; and
4. other education services currently provided by the
Re–entry and Transition Services Unit;
(vii) coordination with county reentry programs, including:
1. notification of release to a home county; and
2. assistance acquiring dental and health records;
(viii) other services identified at the time of the trial, during
incarceration, or on release of an individual who is being released from incarceration; and
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(ix) other services currently provided by the Re–entry and Transition
Services Unit.
(g) (i) On or before December 31, 2025, the Task Force shall, in accordance with §
2–1257 of the State Government Article, submit a report to the General Assembly of its
findings and recommendations.
SECTION 2. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That this Act shall take effect June
1, 2024. It shall remain effective for a period of 2 years and 1 month and, at the end of June
30, 2026, this Act, with no further action required by the General Assembly, shall be
abrogated and of no further force and effect.
Approved by the Governor, May 16, 2024.