HB 2069 Summary

• Establishes a corrections oversight committee consisting of 2 senate members, 2 house members, the department director (non-voting), and 5 governor-appointed members representing prisoner advocacy, rehabilitation programs, employment services, medicine, and victims' advocacy.

• Committee members appointed by the governor serve three-year staggered terms and cannot be department employees; legislative members selected by their respective chamber leaders with one from each chamber serving as co-chairperson.

• Committee is tasked with monitoring and improving transparency, fairness, impartiality and accountability in state correctional institutions and facilities.

• Committee shall appoint a corrections ombudsman responsible for contemporaneous public oversight of the department's internal affairs, disciplinary processes, and any investigations affecting persons under department jurisdiction.

• Obstructing an investigation by the corrections ombudsman is classified as a class 1 misdemeanor.