Raised Bill No. 875 Summary

• Department of Correction, Board of Pardons and Paroles, and Court Support Services Division must develop a risk assessment strategy to evaluate offenders' likelihood of recidivism and homelessness upon release, with screening to assess housing needs, homelessness history, family supports, employment, and prior tenancy.

• Creates the "Returning Home Program" effective October 1, 2021, to provide housing assistance including search and navigation services, case management, and rapid rehousing for persons released to parole or supervised community settings who lack post-release housing plans.

• Department of Correction shall contract with nonprofit organizations to deliver housing-related services and shall be granted access to the state's homeless management information system; funds cannot be used for halfway houses.

• Department of Correction must submit annual reports beginning January 2, 2022, to housing and judiciary committees detailing screening numbers, persons with housing needs, program costs, placement and retention rates, and impact on facility bed usage and emergency shelter diversion.

• Criminal Justice Policy and Planning Division must report annually beginning February 15, 2022, on reentry strategy success including the rate of released inmates experiencing homelessness, with reports posted online and presented to the Criminal Justice Policy Advisory Commission.