HB 5242 Summary

• Department of Correction, Board of Pardons and Paroles, and Court Support Services Division must develop a risk assessment strategy that evaluates offenders' likelihood to recidivate and become homeless upon release, using both static and dynamic factors with gender-responsive approaches.

• Commissioner of Correction must screen all offenders to assess housing needs and homelessness risk, considering homelessness history, family support, tenancy/rental history, income, employment, and household maintenance experience to inform reentry plans.

• Department of Correction shall establish the "returning home program" in consultation with the Department of Housing to provide housing assistance, housing search services, and rapid rehousing for persons released to parole or supervised community settings who lack housing plans.

• Program funds shall not be used for halfway houses, and housing provided must confer tenancy rights and responsibilities through rental agreements meeting federal housing quality standards.

• Department of Correction must submit annual reports beginning January 2, 2021, detailing screening numbers, housing assistance recipients, costs per capita, placement/retention rates, and impacts on facility bed use and emergency shelter diversion.