HB 2409 Summary

• Establishes the Office of the Independent Corrections Oversight Committee to conduct inspections of state corrections facilities, investigate complaints about inmate conditions and treatment, and issue public reports on findings and recommendations.

• Creates a Correctional Oversight Committee consisting of legislators, medical professionals, formerly incarcerated individuals, inmate advocates, and public members who appoint a six-year term corrections oversight advisor to direct the office.

• Grants the office broad access to prison facilities, inmates, staff, and department records to investigate "covered issues" including sanitation, nutrition, abuse, medical care, visitation access, administrative grievances, staffing, and rehabilitation programming.

• Requires the office to establish complaint forms and hotlines for inmates and family members to report violations, conduct facility inspections at least every two years (annually for maximum security), and publish annual reports with recommendations to the legislature and governor.

• Appropriates $2,000,000 annually from the state general fund for fiscal years 2024-2033 to operate the office and committee, with the office automatically terminating on July 1, 2033.