Establishes the "Office of the Department of Corrections Ombudsman"
This bill creates a new Office of the Department of Corrections Ombudsman to monitor conditions and address complaints regarding inmate welfare, safety, and rights. The office will consist of two sections dedicated to inspections and complaint investigations, with the authority to collect data on issues such as abuse, medical care, sanitation, and access to education or family visits. An independent ombudsman will lead the office and conduct regular facility inspections while issuing public reports on findings and recommendations. The position is overseen by a bipartisan oversight committee that includes former inmates, medical professionals, and family members of incarcerated individuals to ensure diverse representation. Staff members hired by the office must adhere to strict conflict-of-interest rules to maintain independence from the Department of Corrections.
Bill status
in committee
1 of 4 stages cleared
Introduction
Feb 2024
Committee Review
Floor Vote
Governor
Introduced Feb 13, 2024
Last action May 17, 2024
Floor votes
How they voted
No floor votes recorded yet.
Full legislative history
Actions timeline
Total actions
3
Key actions
0
Committee
1
May 17, 2024
Committee
Referred: General Laws(H)
lower
Feb 13, 2024
Introduced
Introduced and Read First Time (H)
lower
1 primary · 0 co-sponsors
Sponsors
Role
Legislator
Party
State
District
P
Tony Lovasco
RRepublican
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