SB 1481 - Office of the Independent Corrections Ombudsman

• Establishes the Office of the Independent Corrections Ombudsman to conduct inspections, investigate complaints, and monitor conditions at all state correctional facilities and private prisons operating under state contract.

• Creates a Correctional Oversight Committee with 9 voting members (2 senators, 2 representatives, 5 governor-appointed members including formerly incarcerated persons and health professionals) and 1 nonvoting representative of the corrections officers' association to appoint and oversee the ombudsman.

• Grants the ombudsman and office authority to conduct unannounced inspections at least biennial (annual for maximum security facilities), access all facility areas, privately communicate with inmates and staff, and subpoena department records and personnel.

• Authorizes the office to investigate complaints from inmates, family members, and staff regarding abuse, neglect, conditions of confinement, denial of rights, and access to medical care, programming, visitation, and the grievance process; complaints cannot relate to underlying criminal convictions.

• Appropriates $1,500,000 annually from the general fund for fiscal years 2021-2022 through 2025-2026 for office operations and committee expenses; office terminates July 1, 2031.