HB 7083 - Correctional Privatization Summary

• Department of Management Services must competitively procure management and operation of correctional facilities in 18 South Florida counties (Manatee, Hardee, Indian River, Okeechobee, Highlands, St. Lucie, DeSoto, Sarasota, Charlotte, Glades, Martin, Palm Beach, Hendry, Lee, Collier, Broward, Miami-Dade, and Monroe), excluding the South Florida Reception Center and South Florida Reception Center South Unit.

• Department of Management Services must issue competitive solicitation within 60 days of the act's effective date, with proposals due within 60 days of solicitation; any awarded contract must achieve minimum 7 percent cost savings compared to 2011-2012 fiscal year expenditures and require Auditor General certification before award.

• Contracts must include specific performance measures covering inmate safety, drug testing, education programs, substance abuse treatment, release planning, and for work release centers, employment rates and victim restitution.

• Department of Corrections must maintain inmate classification, medical and psychological population percentages from 2011-2012, and submit a transition plan and cost-benefit analysis showing minimum 7 percent annual savings to the Legislative Budget Commission for approval.

• Current Department of Corrections employees at affected facilities receive first preference for continued employment with the contractor; the department must make reasonable efforts to find alternative state positions for employees who decline contractor employment.