FIRSTREGULARSESSION
HOUSEBILLNO.774
103RDGENERALASSEMBLY
INTRODUCEDBYREPRESENTATIVEALLEN.
1758H.01I JOSEPHENGLER,ChiefClerk
ANACT
Torepealsections217.025and217.165,RSMo,andtoenactinlieuthereoffourteennew
sectionsrelatingtothedepartmentofcorrections.
BeitenactedbytheGeneralAssemblyofthestateofMissouri,asfollows:
SectionA.Sections217.025and217.165,RSMo,arerepealedandfourteennew
2sectionsenactedinlieuthereof,tobeknownassections217.025,217.165,218.010,218.015,
3218.017,218.018,218.019,218.020,218.035,218.040,218.050,218.055,218.060,and
4218.065,toreadasfollows:
217.025.1.Thegeneralsupervision,managementandcontrolofthedepartmentof
2correctionsshallbeinthedirectorofcorrections,whoshallbeappointedbythegovernor,by
3andwiththeadviceandconsentofthesenate, whichshallincludeahearingonthe
4appointmentwithopportunityforpubliccomment.Thirtydayspriortothe
5appointmentofadirectorbythegovernor,thenamesandemailaddressesofall
6applicantsshallbemadeavailabletothepublic.Applicantsshallbeencouragedtomeet
7withdepartmentofcorrectionsemployeecollectivebargainingunitsandagents.
8 2.Thedirectorshallbeapersonofrecognizedcharacterandintegrity,andhavesuch
9education,training,provenexecutiveabilityandexperienceaswillfitforthesuccessful
10performanceoftheofficialdutiesofthedirector.Thedirectorshallhaveeducation,training
11andexperienceincorrectionalmanagement.ThedirectorshallbeacitizenoftheUnited
12States,butneednotbearesidentofthestateofMissouriatthetimeofappointment.Before
13enteringintotheofficialdutiesofoffice,thedirectorshalltakeanoathoraffirmationto
14supporttheConstitutionoftheUnitedStatesandtheConstitutionoftheStateofMissouriand
15tofaithfullydemeanhimselforherselfintheofficeofthedirector.Thedirectorshallenter
EXPLANATION—Matterenclosedinbold-facedbrackets[thus] intheabovebillisnotenactedandis
intendedtobeomittedfromthelaw.Matterinbold-facetypeintheabovebillisproposedlanguage. 16intoagoodandsufficientcorporatesuretybond,payabletothestateofMissouri,conditioned
17uponthefaithfuldischargeandperformanceoftheofficialdutiesofthedirector.Thebond
18shallbeapprovedbytheattorneygeneralastoformandbythegovernorastoitssufficiency.
19Thepremiumonthebondshallbepaidbythestate.Thedirectorshalldevotefulltimetothe
20officialdutiesofthedirector,withprimaryresponsibilitybeingtoensurethatpositiveefforts
21aremadetoensurethepublicsafety.Thesecondaryresponsibilityofthedirectorshallbeto
22institutevariousrehabilitativeprogramswhichshouldinclude,butarenotlimitedto,theareas
23ofeducation,vocationaltraining,treatment,counselingandguidanceandanoverallapproach
24aimedatreducingrecidivism.
25 3.Thedirectorshallestablishthedutiesandresponsibilitiesofemployeesofthe
26department,shallsupervisetheirworkassignmentsandmayrequirereportsfromany
27employeeastohisconductandmanagementrelatingtothecorrectionalcentersandprograms
28ofthedepartment.Thedirectorshallalsoberesponsiblefortheimplementationofuniform
29policiesandproceduresgoverningoffendersandstaff.
30 4.Thedirectorshallhavecontrolandjurisdictionoverallpersonswhoarelegally
31sentenced,assignedandcommittedtothecustodyandsupervisionofthedepartment.
32 5.Thedirectorshallhavecontrolandjurisdictionoverallrealestate,buildings,
33equipment,machinery,correctionalcentersandproductsproperlybelongingto,orusedby,or
34inconnectionwithanyfacilitywithinthedepartmentexceptwheresuchcontroland
35jurisdictionarereservedtoothersbylaw.
36 6.Thedirectorshallmakeandenforcesuchrules,regulations,ordersandfindingsas
37thedirectormaydeemnecessaryforthepropermanagementofallcorrectionalcentersand
38personssubjecttothedepartment'scontrol.
39 7.Thedirectorshallestablishandmaintaincorrectionalcentersandunits,asprovided
40byappropriations,forthesegregationofmaleandfemaleoffenders,andfortheclassification
41ofoffendersbasedonthelevelofsecurity,supervisionandprogramneeds.
42 8.Thedirectorshallprepareandsubmitanannualbudgetofallfundsnecessarytobe
43expendedbythedepartmentandbythedivisionsofthedepartment.
44 9.Thedirectorshallprepareandsubmittothegovernorandthegeneralassemblya
45writtenreportoftheadministrationofhisduties,togetherwithsuchrecommendationsand
46suggestionsasthedirectormaydeemadvisable.Itmayincludeprojects,plans,
47accomplishments,togetherwithstatisticsandsummariesoffinancialreceiptsand
48expenditures.Thedirectorshallalsoadvisethegovernorandthejointcommitteeon
49correctionsastoanyimprovementsthatmayappearnecessaryfortheefficiency,economy
50andgeneralwell-beingofoffenders,correctionalcenters,programs,andthedepartment.
51 10.Thedirectorshallinitiateanddirectthedevelopmentofalong-rangeplanto
52providecomprehensiveintegratedprogramstoaccomplishthepurposeofthischapter.
HB774 2 217.165.1.Thedepartmentdirectorshallinaccordancewithchapter36appointfor
2eachcorrectionalcenterachiefadministrativeofficer.Priortoanysuchappointment,the
3directorshallholdameetingopentoallcurrentlyemployedstaffofthefacilityandthe
4leadershipofanyemployeeassociations;exceptthatnopotentialcandidatesforthe
5chiefadministratorpositionshallattend.Thedirectorshallacceptcommentsandinput
6onthesuitabilityofanycandidateforthepositionofchiefadministrativeofficerand
7shalltakeintoconsiderationsuchinputwhenmakinganappointmentdecision.
8 2.Thedirectorandthechiefadministrativeofficerofeachcorrectionalcenter
9shallensurethatcorrectionalstaffarerepresentedandincludedinthehiringprocess
10forinstitutionaladministrativestaff.
218.010.Forpurposesofsections218.010to218.065,thefollowingtermsmean:
2 (1)"Committee",thecorrectionsoversightcommitteeestablishedundersection
3218.020;
4 (2)"Correctionalstaff",employeesorcontractorsoftheMissouridepartmentof
5corrections;
6 (3)"Coveredissues",issuespertainingtotheconditionsincorrectionalcenters,
7welfareofincarceratedpeopleandcorrectionalstaff,orcompliancewithapplicable
8federal,state,andlocalrules,regulations,policies,andbestpracticesrelatingtothe
9safetyandwelfareofincarceratedpeopleandcorrectionalstaffandtherehabilitationof
10incarceratedpeople."Coveredissues"includes,butisnotlimitedto:
11 (a)Sanitationincorrectionalfacilities;
12 (b)Accesstopropernutrition;
13 (c)Livabletemperaturesincorrectionalfacilities;
14 (d)Emergencyresponse;
15 (e)Physicalorsexualabuseorcrediblethreatsofphysicalorsexualabuse;
16 (f)Violenceandcrediblethreatsofviolence;
17 (g)Neglect;
18 (h)Denialofrightsaffordedunderfederalorstatelaw;
19 (i)Accesstovisitationandcommunicationwithfamily;
20 (j)Anyinstanceinwhichtheofficedeterminesanactionorbehaviorconstitutes
21abuseorneglectagainstincarceratedpeopleorcorrectionalstaff;
22 (k)Accesstocareortreatmentformedical,mentalhealth,orsubstanceabuse
23issues;or
24 (l)Accesstoeducational,rehabilitative,orvocationalprogrammingortraining,
25oraccesstoemploymentinfacilitiesbyincarceratedpeople;
26 (4)"Department",thedepartmentofcorrections;
HB774 3 27 (5)"Familymember",includesagrandparent,parent,sibling,spouseor
28domesticpartner,child,aunt,uncle,cousin,niece,nephew,grandchild,oranyother
29relativewithinthefourthdegree,byconsanguinityoraffinity;
30 (6)"Office",theofficeofstatecorrectionsombudsperson;
31 (7)"Ombudsperson",thestateombudspersonforincarceratedpeopleinthe
32custodyofthedepartmentofcorrections.
218.015.1.Thereisherebyestablishedanindependent"OfficeofState
2CorrectionsOmbudsperson".Theofficeshallconsistoftwosections:
3 (1)Aninspectionsection;and
4 (2)Acomplaintsinvestigationsection.
5 2.Theofficeshallhavetheauthorityto:
6 (1)Provideinformation,asappropriate,toincarceratedpeople,correctional
7staff,familymembersofincarceratedpeopleandcorrectionalstaff,andothers
8regardingtherightsofincarceratedpeopleandcorrectionalstaff;
9 (2)Monitorconditionsincorrectionalcentersandassessdepartmentcompliance
10withapplicablefederal,state,andlocalrules,regulations,policies,andbestpracticesas
11relatedtothehealth,safety,andwelfareofincarceratedpeopleandcorrectionalstaff
12andtotherehabilitationofincarceratedpeople;
13 (3)Providetechnicalassistancetosupportincarceratedpeopleandcorrectional
14staffwiththedepartmentorotherrelevantagencies;
15 (4)Providetechnicalassistancetolocalgovernmentsinthecreationofjail
16oversightbodies,asrequested;
17 (5)Establishastatewideuniformreportingsystemtocollectandanalyzedata
18relatedtocomplaintsreceivedbythedepartmentanddatarelatedtothefollowing:
19 (a)Deaths,suicides,andsuicideattemptsbyincarceratedpeopleandby
20correctionalstaff;
21 (b)Physicalandsexualassaultsbyincarceratedpeopleandbycorrectionalstaff;
22 (c)Numbersofincarceratedpeopleplacedinadministrativesegregation,
23restrictivehousing,solitaryconfinement,orotherwiseconfinedtwentyhoursormore
24perday,andthedurationandreasonforstayinsuchconfinement;
25 (d)Numbersoffacilitylockdownslastinglongerthantwenty-fourhours;
26 (e)Numbersofcorrectionalstaffvacanciesateachfacility;
27 (f)Theratioofincarceratedpeopletocorrectionalstaffateachfacility;
28 (g)Correctionalstafftenureandturnover;
29 (h)Numbersofin-personvisitstoincarceratedpeoplethatweremadeand
30deniedateachfacility;
HB774 4 31 (i)Typesofprogrammingwithdatadisaggregatedbyprogramrelatingto
32participation,waitinglists,andexclusionaryorinclusionaryfactors;
33 (j)Thenumberofcontrabanditemsconfiscatedandthetypesofcontraband
34confiscated;and
35 (k)Demographicdataontheprisonpopulationdisaggregatedbyrace,ethnicity,
36gender,andage;
37 (6)Promulgatereasonablerulesandregulationsfortheadministrationand
38enforcementofsections218.010to218.065;
39 (7)Establishprocedurestogatherstakeholderinputintotheoffice'sactivities
40andpriorities,whichshallinclude,ataminimum,anannualthirty-dayperiodfor
41receiptofandofficeresponsetopubliccomment;
42 (8)Inspecteachdepartmentfacilityatleastonceeveryyear,andatleasttwicea
43yearforeachfacilitywheretheofficehasfoundcauseformorefrequentinspectionor
44monitoring;
45 (9)Publiclyissueperiodicfacilityinspectionreportsandanannualreportwith
46recommendationsonthestateofdepartmentfacilitiesandasummaryofdataand
47recommendationsarisingfromanycomplaintsinvestigatedandresolvedundersections
48218.010to218.065andanyotherthematicreportscoveringanytopictheofficefinds
49relevanttorunningasafe,secure,andhumanefacility;
50 (10)Investigateincidentswithindepartmentfacilitieseitherontheoffice'sown
51initiativeorpursuanttoacomplaint;
52 (11)Hirestaff,contractors,andunpaidvolunteers,andsecureofficespace,
53equipment,andotherservicesnecessarytocarryoutthedutiesoftheofficeunder
54sections218.010to218.065;
55 (12)Contractwithexpertsasneededtoassistinthemonitoringandinspectionof
56facilities,theassessmentofdata,andthereview,inspection,orresolutionofcomplaints;
57 (13)Overseealloperationsoftheofficeandactasneededtoimplementthe
58purposesoftheofficeandtofulfillallrequirementsunderthissection;and
59 (14)Preparethebudgetsoftheofficeintheformandmannersetoutbystatute
60orbythecommissionerofadministration.
61 3.Theoffice'sbudgetshallbefunded,kept,andadministeredseparatelyfrom
62thatofthedepartment,andtheoffice'soperationsandfunctionsshallbeseparatefrom
63thatofthedepartment.
64 4.Theombudspersonshalldeveloparecusalprocessforstaffandvolunteers
65withparents,children,spouses,ordomesticpartnerswhoarecurrentcorrectionalstaff,
66orwhohavethemselvesbeencorrectionalstaffinthelastfiveyears,toavoidconflictsof
HB774 5 67interestaroundparticulartopicsorfacilities.Astaffmemberorvolunteerhiredbythe
68ombudspersonshallnotbecurrentlyemployedascorrectionalstaff.
69 5.Theombudspersonshallcoordinateandcollaboratewithotherstateagencies
70andentitiesincluding,butnotlimitedto,thestateauditor,thedepartmentofnatural
71resources,thePOSTcommission,theofficeofadministration,thedepartmentofhealth
72andseniorservices,andlocalbuildingcodeenforcementagencies.
73 6.Anyruleorportionofarule,asthattermisdefinedinsection536.010,thatis
74createdundertheauthoritydelegatedinthissectionshallbecomeeffectiveonlyifit
75complieswithandissubjecttoalloftheprovisionsofchapter536and,ifapplicable,
76section536.028.Thissectionandchapter536arenonseverableandifanyofthepowers
77vestedwiththegeneralassemblypursuanttochapter536toreview,todelaythe
78effectivedate,ortodisapproveandannularulearesubsequentlyheldunconstitutional,
79thenthegrantofrulemakingauthorityandanyruleproposedoradoptedafterAugust
8028,2025,shallbeinvalidandvoid.
218.017.1.Thecommittee,theombudsperson,andanystaff,contractor,or
2unpaidvolunteeroftheofficeshallhavereasonableaccess,upondemandinpersonorin
3writingandwithorwithoutpriornotice,toalldepartmentfacilities,includingallareas
4thatareusedoraccessibletoincarceratedpeopleandcorrectionalstaff,andto
5programsforincarceratedpeopleatreasonabletimes,whichataminimumshall
6includenormalworkinghoursandvisitinghours.Thisauthorityincludesthe
7opportunitytoconductaninterviewwithanyincarceratedperson,correctionalstaff,or
8otherperson.Thisaccessisforthepurposesof:
9 (1)Providinginformationaboutindividualrightsandtheservicesavailable
10fromtheoffice,includingcontactinformationoftheofficeandofficestaff;
11 (2)Conductingofficialinspectionsundersection218.035;
12 (3)Conductingofficialinvestigationsundersection218.040;and
13 (4)Inspecting,viewing,photographing,andvideorecordingallareasofthe
14facilitythatareusedbyincarceratedpeopleorareaccessibletoincarceratedpeople.
15 2.Accesstoincarceratedpeopleandcorrectionalstaffincludestheopportunity
16tomeetandcommunicateprivatelyandconfidentiallywithindividualsregularly,with
17orwithoutpriornotice,bothformallyandinformally,bytelephone,mail,electronic
18communication,andinperson.Inthecaseofcommunicationswithincarceratedpeople,
19thesecommunicationsshallnotbemonitoredby,recorded,orconductedinthepresence
20ofcorrectionalstaff.
21 3.Theofficehastherighttoaccess,inspect,andcopyallrelevantinformation,
22records,ordocumentsinthepossessionorcontrolofthedepartmentthattheoffice
23considersnecessaryinaninvestigationofacomplaintfiledunderthissection,andthe
HB774 6 24departmentshallassisttheofficeinobtainingthenecessaryreleasesforthose
25documentsthatarespecificallyrestrictedorprivilegedforusebytheoffice.
26 4.Followingnotificationfromtheofficewithawrittendemandforaccessto
27departmentrecords,thedesignateddepartmentstaffshallprovidetheofficewithaccess
28totherequesteddocumentationnotlaterthantwentydaysaftertheoffice'swritten
29requestfortherecords.Whentherecordsrequestedbytheofficepertaintothedeath,
30threatsofbodilyharmincluding,butnotlimitedto,sexualorphysicalassaults,orthe
31denialofnecessarymedicaltreatmentofanincarceratedperson,therecordsshallbe
32providedwithinfivedaysunlesstheofficeconsentstoanextensionofthattimeframe.
33 5.Theofficeshallworkwiththedepartmenttominimizedisruptiontothe
34operationsofthedepartmentduetoofficeactivitiesandshallcomplywiththe
35department'ssecurityclearanceprocesses,providedtheseprocessesdonotimpedethe
36activitiesoutlinedinthissection.
37 6.Theofficeshallhavethepowertosubpoenadepartmentrecords,employees,
38orcontractors.
39 7.Exceptasprovidedundersection218.018,thedepartmentshallhavean
40affirmativedutytoprovidedatarelatedtothecollectionanddisseminationof
41informationunderchapter610.
218.018.1.Correspondenceandcommunicationwiththeofficeisconfidential
2andshallnotbeconsideredapublicrecord,subjecttotheprovisionsofchapter610,or
3subjecttodiscoverybysubpoenaorcourtorder.
4 2.Theofficeshallestablishconfidentialityrulesandproceduresforall
5informationmaintainedbytheofficetoensurethat:
6 (1)Correctionalstaffarenotawareoftheidentityofacomplainantbefore,
7during,andafteraninvestigationtothegreatestextentpracticable.Theofficemay
8discloseidentifyinginformationforthesolepurposeofcarryingoutaninvestigation;
9and
10 (2)Otherpeopleindepartmentofcorrectionscustodyarenotawareofthe
11identityofacomplainantbefore,during,andafteraninvestigationtothegreatestextent
12practicable.Theofficemaydiscloseidentifyinginformationforthesolepurposeof
13carryingoutaninvestigation.
218.019.1.ByDecemberthirty-firstofeachcalendaryear,theofficeshall
2produceanannualreporttobemadeavailabletothepublicontheinternetandtobe
3deliveredtothegovernor,theattorneygeneral,thegeneralassembly,andthedirectorof
4thedepartment.Thereportshallinclude:
HB774 7 5 (1)Asummaryoftheoffice'sinspectionsandcomplaintinvestigations
6conductedthatcalendaryear,includingtheoffice'sfindingsandrecommendations
7andthedepartment'sresponsesandcorrectiveactions;
8 (2)Acharacterizationoftheconditionsinfacilitiesforincarceratedpeopleand
9correctionalstaff;
10 (3)Asummaryofavailableeducationalandrehabilitativeprogramming,drug
11andmentalhealthtreatment,jobs,andvocationaltrainingavailabletoincarcerated
12people;
13 (4)Asummaryofvisitationpoliciesandprocedures;
14 (5)Asummaryofmedicalfacilitiesandmedicalproceduresandpolicies;
15 (6)Asummaryofthelockdownsreviewedbytheoffice;
16 (7)Asummaryofthestaffingateachfacilityandinthedepartmentoverall;
17 (8)Asummaryofphysicalandsexualassaultsreviewedbytheoffice;
18 (9)Asummaryofanyincarceratedpersonorcorrectionalstaffdeathsthat
19occurredatafacility;
20 (10)Asummaryoftheoffice'sinvestigations,findings,andresolutionsofany
21complaintssubmittedundersection218.050,218.055,or218.060;
22 (11)Asummaryofthependingandsettledlawsuitsduringthelastcalendaryear
23inwhichthedepartmentoranyofitscorrectionalstaffisapartyandwhichrelateto
24anycoveredissues,asdefinedinsection218.050,withadescriptionofthenatureofthe
25claims,theirdateandlocation,andattorney’sfees,courtcosts,andsettlementcosts
26spentbythedepartment,itscontractors,orthestate;
27 (12)Asummaryofthecriminalprosecutionsofincarceratedpeopleor
28correctionalstaffinitiatedorconcludedduringthelastcalendaryearwithadescription
29ofthedateandlocationoftheallegedoffenses,thenatureofthecharges,andany
30adjudicationordispositionofthecase;and
31 (13)Recommendationstothegeneralassemblyandthedepartmentincluding,
32butnotlimitedto,thefollowing:
33 (a)Howtheofficeandthedepartmentshouldbefundedandstaffed;
34 (b)Improvingcorrectionalstaffretention,training,workingconditions,
35compensation,benefits,morale,andsafety;
36 (c)Improvingincarceratedpersonhealth,safety,conditionsofconfinement,and
37medicalcare;
38 (d)Improvingvisitationandlimitinguseoflockdownsandadministrative
39segregation,restrictivehousing,orsolitaryconfinement;
40 (e)Improvingcomplaintinvestigationandresolution;
HB774 8 41 (f)Improvingaccesstoandqualityandavailabilityofeducationaland
42rehabilitativeprogramming,drugandmentalhealthtreatment,andincarcerated
43personjobsandvocationaltraining;
44 (g)Improvingtransparencyaboutconditionsinthefacilitiesandthedepartment
45overall;
46 (h)Improvingthedisciplinaryprocesstoholdcorrectionalstaffaccountablefor
47mistreatmentofincarceratedpeople;and
48 (i)Preventingfutureviolationsofincarceratedpeopleandcorrectionalstaff's
49rightsasprotectedunderstateandfederallaw.
50 2.Iftheofficesorequests,thedepartmentshall,withinthetimespecified,
51informtheofficeinwritingaboutanyactiontakenontherecommendationsorthe
52reasonsfornotcomplyingwiththerecommendations.
218.020.1.BeforeJanuary1,2026,thereshallbeestablisheda"Corrections
2OversightCommittee",consistingofthefollowingmembers:
3 (1)Twomembersofthesenatewhoareappointedbythepresidentprotempore
4ofthesenateandwhoarenotmembersofthesamepoliticalparty.Thepresidentpro
5temporeshallselectoneofthesememberstoserveasaco-chair;
6 (2)Twomembersofthehouseofrepresentativeswhoareappointedbythe
7speakerofthehouseofrepresentativesandwhoarenotmembersofthesamepolitical
8party.Thespeakershallselectoneofthesememberstoserveasaco-chair;
9 (3)Thefollowingmembers,whoareappointedbythegovernor:
10 (a)OnerepresentativeoftheMissouriCorrectionsOfficers'Associationorwho
11wasformerlyemployedasacorrectionalemployeeinthisstateoranyotherstate;
12 (b)Onerepresentativeofaprisoneradvocacyorganization;
13 (c)Onerepresentativeofanorganizationthatprovidestrainingorrehabilitation
14programsforincarceratedpeople;
15 (d)Onemanwhowasformerlyincarceratedinadepartmentfacility;
16 (e)Onewomanwhowasformerlyincarceratedinadepartmentfacility;
17 (f)Onephysician,currentlylicensedorretired,withexperienceinfamily
18medicineorinternalmedicine;
19 (g)Onementalorbehavioralhealthprofessional,currentlylicensedorretiredin
20goodstanding,whohasahistoryofprovidingmentalhealthservicesorcounselingto
21adults;and
22 (h)Onepersonwhoisagrandparent,parent,child,sibling,orspouseor
23domesticpartnerofapersoncurrentlyincarceratedinadepartmentfacility.
24 2.Membersappointedtothecommitteeunderthissectionshallservethree-year
25terms.
HB774 9 26 3.Membersappointedtothecommitteeunderthissectionshallnotbecurrent
27correctionalstaff.Thecommitteeshalldeveloparecusalprocessformemberswith
28parents,children,spouses,ordomesticpartnerswhoarecurrentcorrectionalstaffor
29whohavethemselvesbeencorrectionalstaffinthelastfiveyearstoavoidconflictsof
30interestaroundparticulartopics,facilities,ornominees.Withtheexceptionofthe
31membersspecifiedinparagraphs(a)and(c)ofsubdivision(3)ofsubsection1ofthis
32section,committeemembersshallnothavebeencorrectionalstaffatanytimewithin
33fiveyearsoftheirappointmenttothecommittee.
34 4.Thecommitteeshallmeetwheneverthereisavacancyintheombudsperson
35position,astheco-chairsdeemnecessary,oronthecallofthemajorityofthemembers.
36 5.Notwithstandingtheprovisionsofthissectiontothecontrary,theinitialterms
37ofcommitteememberswhoareappointedunderthissectionshallbeasfollows:
38 (1)TwotermsendingJanuary1,2028;
39 (2)FivetermsendingJanuary1,2029;and
40 (3)FivetermsendingJanuary1,2030.
41 6.Thegovernorshallmakeallsubsequentappointmentsasprescribedby
42statute.
43 7.Thecommitteeshallholdatleastonepublichearingeachyeartopresent,
44review,anddiscusstheoffice'sinspections,findings,reports,andrecommendationsset
45forthintheoffice'sannualreport,asdescribedinthissection,andshallholdquarterly
46publichearingstopresent,review,anddiscussanyotherdata,reports,orfindingsofthe
47officethatthecommitteedeterminesarerelevant.Atsuchhearings,thecommitteemay
48solicitandreceivewrittenororaltestimonyfromexperts,membersofthecommunity,
49theoffice,orthedepartment.
50 8.Thecommitteemay,initsdiscretionoruponrequestfromtheoffice,issue
51findings,recommendations,andpolicyandlegislativeproposalsthatshallbeprovided
52tothedepartment,governor,andgeneralassembly,andmadeavailabletothepublicon
53theoffice'swebsite.
54 9.Thecommitteeshallhavethepowertosubpoenadepartmentrecordsor
55correctionalstaffonlyintheeventthatthepositionofombudspersonisvacant.
56 10.Accompaniedbytheoffice,thecommitteeshallscheduleplannedvisitsto
57twodifferentcorrectionalfacilitiesduringeachcalendaryear.
58 11.Thecommitteeshallappointanombudsperson,whoshallserveatermofsix
59years,duringwhichtermtheombudspersonmayberemovedonlybyamajorityvoteof
60thecommitteeandonlyforgoodcause.
61 12.Theombudspersonshallnotbecurrentcorrectionalstaffandthe
62ombudsperson'sfamilymembersshallnotbecurrentcorrectionalstaff.
HB774 10 63 13.Thecommitteeshallannouncetheombudspersonnomineepubliclyandshall
64votetoappointthenomineeafterholdingapublichearing,duringwhichtimethe
65committeeshallhearandconsideroralorwrittentestimonyfromtheombudsperson
66nominee,anywitnesstheombudspersonnomineepresentsonhisorherbehalf,andany
67membersofthepublic.Theombudspersonshalltakeofficeuponamajorityvoteofthe
68committeeinhisorherfavor.Intheeventofavacancy,thecommitteeshallannouncea
69nomineewithinsixmonthsoftheresignation,removal,orexpirationofthetermofthe
70sittingombudsperson.
218.035.1.Theofficeshallconductperiodicinspectionsofeachdepartment
2facility.
3 2.Theofficeshallconductaninspectionofeachcorrectionalfacilityandrelease
4apublicreportbeforeAugust28,2027.
5 3.Subsequentinspectionsofeachfacilityshallbeconductedonastaggered
6scheduledependentonthefacility'ssafetyandcomplianceclassification.
7 4.Theofficeshallconductacompleteinspectionofadepartmentfacilitythat
8coversallmatterspertinenttothewelfareofstaffandincarceratedpeoplewithinthe
9facilityincluding,butnotlimitedto,anassessmentofallofthefollowing:
10 (1)Policiesandproceduresinplacebythefacilityrelatedtocareofincarcerated
11people;
12 (2)Conditionsofconfinementandconditionsaffectingcorrectionalstaff;
13 (3)Availabilityofeducationalandrehabilitativeprogramming,drugandmental
14healthtreatment,andvocationaltrainingandjobsavailabletoincarceratedpeople;
15 (4)Policiesandproceduresrelatedtovisitation;
16 (5)Medicalfacilitiesandmedicalproceduresandpolicies;
17 (6)Reviewoflockdownsatthefacilityinthetimesincethelastaudit.Inthe
18instanceofaninitialassessment,theofficeshallreviewlockdownsfromthelastthree
19years;
20 (7)Reviewofstaffingatthefacility,includingthenumberandjobassignments
21ofcorrectionalstaff,theratioofcorrectionalstafftoincarceratedpeopleatthefacility,
22andthecorrectionalstaffpositionvacancyrateatthefacility;
23 (8)Reviewofphysicalandsexualassaultsatthefacilityinthetimesincethelast
24inspection.Intheinstanceofaninitialassessment,theofficeshallreviewassaultsfrom
25thelastthreeyears;
26 (9)Reviewofanyincarceratedpersonorcorrectionalstaffdeathsthatoccurred
27atthefacilityinthetimesincethelastinspection.Intheinstanceofaninitial
28assessment,theofficeshallreviewincarceratedpersonandcorrectionalstaffdeaths
29fromthelastthreeyears;
HB774 11 30 (10)Reviewofcorrectionalstaffrecruitment,training,supervision,and
31discipline;
32 (11)Reviewofallprogrammingwithinthefacility,includingtypeof
33programming,programeligibility,andlengthofwaitinglistifapplicable;and
34 (12)Anyotheraspectoftheoperationofthefacilitythattheofficedeems
35necessaryoverthecourseofaninspection.
36 5.Uponcompletionofaninspection,theofficeshallproduceareporttobemade
37availabletothepublicontheinternet,andtobedeliveredtothegovernor,theattorney
38general,thegeneralassembly,andthedirectorofthedepartment.Thereportshall
39include:
40 (1)Asummaryofthefacility'spoliciesandproceduresrelatedtocareofthe
41incarceratedpopulation;
42 (2)Acharacterizationoftheconditionsofconfinementandtheeffecton
43correctionalstaff;
44 (3)Acatalogofavailableeducationalandrehabilitativeprogramming,drugand
45mentalhealthtreatment,andvocationaltrainingandjobsforincarceratedpeople;
46 (4)Asummaryofvisitationpoliciesandprocedures;
47 (5)Asummaryofmedicalfacilitiesandmedicalproceduresandpolicies;
48 (6)Asummaryofthelockdownsreviewedbytheoffice;
49 (7)Asummaryofthestaffingatthefacility,includingpoliciesrelatingto
50correctionalstaffrecruitment,training,supervision,anddiscipline;
51 (8)Asummaryofphysicalandsexualassaultsreviewedbytheoffice;
52 (9)Asummaryofincarceratedpersonorcorrectionalstaffdeathsthatoccurred
53atthefacility;
54 (10)Recommendationsmadetothefacilitytoimprovesafetyandconditions
55withinthefacility;and
56 (11)Safetyandcomplianceclassificationwithrecommendedtimelineforthe
57nextinspection.
58 6.Uponcompletionofaninspection,theofficeshallassignthefacilityasafety
59andcomplianceclassification.Thisclassificationsystemshallbedividedintotwotiers.
60Thetiersareasfollows:
61 (1)Tier1,requiressubsequentinspectionwithinsixmonthsandshallbeused
62formaximumsecurityfacilitiesandfacilitiesthatpresentclearviolationsofrights;risks
63tothehealth,safety,orwelfareofincarceratedpeopleorcorrectionalstaff;orsevere
64lackofqualityprogrammingforthesuccessfulrehabilitationofincarceratedpeople;
65and
HB774 12 66 (2)Tier2,requiressubsequentinspectionwithintwelvemonthsandshallbe
67usedforallotherfacilitiesotherthanthosedescribedasTier1.
68 7.Thedepartmentshallrespondinwritingtoeachinspectionreportissuedby
69theofficewithinsixtydaysoftheissuanceofthereport,anditsresponseshallincludea
70correctiveactionplan.Theofficeshallmonitorthedepartment'scompliancewiththe
71correctiveactionplanandmayconductfurtherinspectionsorinvestigationsas
72necessarytoensuresuchcompliance.
218.040.1.Theofficemayinitiateandattempttoresolveaninvestigationupon
2itsowninitiative,oruponreceiptofacomplaintfromanincarceratedperson,a
3correctionalstaffmember,afamilymember,arepresentativeofanincarceratedperson,
4orothers,regardinganyofthefollowingthatmayadverselyaffectthehealth,safety,
5welfare,andrightsofincarceratedpeopleorthehealth,safety,andwelfareof
6correctionalstaff:
7 (1)Abuse,neglect,orphysicalorsexualviolenceorthreatthereof;
8 (2)Facilityconditions,includingthoseaffectingcorrectionalstaffandconditions
9ofconfinement;
10 (3)Departmentdecisionsoradministrativeactions;
11 (4)Departmentinactionsoromissions;
12 (5)Departmentpolicies,rules,orprocedures;or
13 (6)Allegedviolationsoflawbycorrectionalstaffthatmayadverselyaffectthe
14health,safety,welfare,andrightsofincarceratedpeopleorcorrectionalstaff.
15 2.Theofficemaydeclinetoinvestigateanycomplaint.Iftheofficedoesnot
16investigateacomplaint,theofficeshallnotifythecomplainantinwritingofthedecision
17nottoinvestigateandthereasonsforthedecision.
18 3.Theofficeshall:
19 (1)Confirmreceiptofthecomplaintorinquirywithinfivebusinessdays;
20 (2)Makeadeterminationastowhetheraninvestigationiswarrantedwithin
21sevenbusinessdaysoftheconfirmationofreceiptofcomplaintandnotifythe
22complainant;and
23 (3)Iftheofficehasdeterminedaninvestigationisunwarranted,theofficeshall
24provideawrittenstatementregardingitsdecisiontothecomplainant.
25 4.Anyactionorlackofactiononacomplaintbytheofficeshallnotbedeemed
26anadministrativeprocedurerequiredforexhaustionofremediespriortobringingan
27actionunderthePrisonLitigationReformAct,42U.S.C.Section1997eetseq.
28 5.Theofficeshallnotinvestigateacomplaintrelatingtoanincarcerated
29person'sunderlyingcriminalconviction.
HB774 13 30 6.Theofficeshallnotinvestigateacomplaintfromcorrectionalstaffthatrelates
31tothecorrectionalstaff'semploymentrelationshipwiththedepartmentunlessthe
32complaintisrelatedtothehealth,safety,andwelfareofincarceratedpeopleor
33correctionalstaffortherehabilitationofincarceratedpeople.
34 7.Theofficemayreferthecomplainantandotherstoappropriateresourcesor
35stateorfederalagencies.
36 8.Theofficeshallnotlevyanyfeesforthesubmissionorinvestigationof
37complaints.Attheconclusionofaninvestigationofacomplaint,theofficeshallrender
38apublicdecisiononthemeritsofeachcomplaint,exceptthatthedocumentssupporting
39thedecisionaresubjecttotheconfidentialityprovisionsofsections218.010to218.065.
40Theofficeshallcommunicatethedecisiontothecomplainant,ifknown,andtothe
41department.Theofficeshallstateitsrecommendationsandreasoningif,intheoffice's
42opinion,thedepartmentoranycorrectionalstaffthereofshall:
43 (1)Considerthematterfurther;
44 (2)Modifyorcancelanyaction;
45 (3)Alterarule,practice,orruling;
46 (4)Explainindetailtheadministrativeactioninquestion;or
47 (5)Rectifyanomission.
48 10.Iftheofficesorequests,thedepartmentshall,withinthetimespecified,
49informtheofficeinwritingaboutanyactiontakenontherecommendationsorthe
50reasonsfornotcomplyingwiththerecommendations.
51 11.Iftheofficebelieves,basedontheinvestigation,thattherehasbeenor
52continuestobeasignificanthealth,safety,welfare,orrehabilitationissue,theoffice
53shallreportthefindingtothegovernor,theattorneygeneral,thegeneralassembly,and
54thedirectorofthedepartment.
55 12.Intheeventthatthedepartmentconductsaninternaldisciplinary
56investigationandreviewofoneormoreofitsstaffmembersasaresultofanoffice
57investigation,thedepartment'sdisciplinaryreviewmaybesubjecttoadditionalreview
58andinvestigationbytheofficetoensureafairandobjectiveprocess.
59 13.Beforeannouncingaconclusionorrecommendationthatexpressly,orby
60implication,criticizesapersonorthedepartment,theofficeshallconsultwiththat
61personorthedepartment.Theofficemayrequesttobenotifiedbythedepartment,
62withinaspecifiedtime,ofanyactiontakenonanyrecommendationpresented.
63 14.Thedepartmentanditscorrectionalstaffshallnotdischarge,retaliate
64against,orinanymannerdiscriminateagainstanypersonbecausesuchpersonhasfiled
65anycomplaintorinstitutedorcausedtobeinstitutedanyproceedingunderthissection.
HB774 14 66 15.Anyallegeddischarge,retaliationagainst,ordiscriminationagainsta
67complainantmaybeconsideredbytheofficeasanappropriatesubjectofan
68investigation.
69 16.Anycorrectionalstaffwhobelievesthatheorshehasbeendischargedor
70otherwisediscriminatedagainstbyanypersoninviolationofthissectionmay,within
71thirtydaysaftersuchviolationoccurs,fileacomplaintundersection285.575.
218.050.1.Theofficeshallcreateasecureonlineform,referredtointhissection
2asthe"familyform",tobemadeavailableontheoffice'swebsite,whereinfamily
3members,friends,andadvocatescansubmitcomplaintsandinquiriesregarding
4coveredissuesonbehalfofanindividualincarceratedwithinthedepartment.Upon
5receiptofafamilyform,theofficeshall:
6 (1)Confirmreceiptofthecomplaintorinquirywithinfivebusinessdays;
7 (2)Determinewhetheraninvestigationiswarrantedwithinsevenbusinessdays
8oftheconfirmationofreceiptofcomplaintandnotifythecomplainant;and
9 (3)Iftheofficedeterminesaninvestigationisunwarranted,provideawritten
10statementregardingitsdecisiontothecomplainant.
11 2.Theofficeshallcreateasecureonlineform,referredtointhissectionasthe
12"incarceratedpersonform",tobemadeavailableonthedepartment'ssecureintranet,
13whereinincarceratedpeoplemaysubmitcomplaintsandinquiriesregardingcovered
14issuesontheirbehalf.
15 3.Thedirectorofthedepartmentshallensurethattheincarceratedpersonform
16isavailableonatleasttwelvecomputerswithineachfacilityandaccessibletoall
17incarceratedpeoplefrom7:00a.m.to7:00p.m.eachday.Forincarceratedpeoplein
18administrativesegregationorsolitaryconfinement,thedepartmentshallensurethat
19correctionalstaffprovideincarceratedpeoplewithaccesstotheincarceratedperson
20formonacomputerorcomputertabletorbyprovidingapapercopyuponthe
21incarceratedperson'srequest.Thedepartmentshallmakepapercopiesofthe
22incarceratedpersonformavailable,atnocosttoincarceratedpeople,ineachfacility's
23library,lawlibrary,andrecreationalandmedicalfacilities.
24 4.Theofficeshallcreatetheincarceratedpersonforminasecureformatthat
25excludesanyelectronicmonitoringorreproductionbythedepartmentandcorrectional
26staff.Anysubmissionsofpapercopiesoftheincarceratedpersonformshallbetreated
27asconfidentialandprivilegedbycorrectionalstaffinthesamemanneraslegal
28correspondenceorcommunication.
218.055.Theofficeshallcreateatelephonehotlinethroughwhichfamily
2members,friends,andadvocatesofincarceratedpeoplecancalltofilecomplaintsand
HB774 15 3inquiriesregardingcoveredissuesonbehalfofanindividualincarceratedwithinthe
4department.
218.060.Theofficeshallcreateasecuretelephonehotlinetobemadeavailableto
2allincarceratedpeopleandcorrectionalstafftofilecomplaintsandinquiriesregarding
3coveredissuesontheirbehalf.Thedirectorofthedepartmentshallensurethatthe
4hotlineanditsusearemadeavailabletoallincarceratedpeoplefreeofcharge.The
5directorofthedepartmentshallensurethatcallstothehotlinearenotmonitoredor
6recordedbycorrectionalstaff.
218.065.1.Thedepartmentanditscorrectionalstaffshallnotdischarge,
2retaliateagainst,orinanymannerdiscriminateagainstanypersonbecausesuchperson
3hasfiledanycomplaintorinstitutedorcausedtobeinstitutedanyproceedinginitiated
4undersections218.010to218.065.
5 2.Anyallegeddischarge,retaliationagainst,ordiscriminationagainsta
6complainantmaybeconsideredbytheofficeasanappropriatesubjectofan
7investigation.
8 3.Anycorrectionalstaffwhobelievesthatheorshehasbeendischargedor
9otherwisediscriminatedagainstbyanypersoninviolationofthissectionmay,within
10thirtydaysaftersuchviolationoccurs,fileacomplaintundersection285.545.
11 4.Anyactionorlackofactionbytheofficeonacomplaintmadeunderthis
12sectionshallnotbedeemedanadministrativeprocedurerequiredforexhaustionof
13remediespriortobringinganactionunderthePrisonLitigationReformAct,42U.S.C.
14Section1997eetseq.
✔
HB774 16