HB 2222 Summary

• Establishes the Office of the Independent Corrections Oversight Committee to conduct inspections, investigate complaints, and monitor conditions in state prison facilities, including private prisons operated under contract with the state.

• Creates a Correctional Oversight Committee consisting of 12 members including state legislators, formerly incarcerated individuals, healthcare professionals, inmate advocacy representatives, and staff representatives, with a nonvoting member representing correctional staff.

• Appoints a Corrections Oversight Advisor selected by the committee for a six-year term to direct the Office, conduct facility inspections at least every two years, and investigate complaints regarding covered issues including sanitation, abuse, medical care, visitation access, and administrative grievance processes.

• Provides inmates and family members multiple methods to file complaints including secure online forms, paper forms treated as privileged correspondence, and a confidential hotline; prohibits retaliation against complainants.

• Appropriates $2,000,000 annually from fiscal years 2023 through 2032 for the Office and Committee operations; establishes a sunset date of July 1, 2032 for the Office.