Bill > HB540

This bill expands the Montana Department of Corrections' (DOC) authority to contract with private corporations for establishing and maintaining correctional facilities and programs. Specifically, the bill allows DOC to contract with private corporations (removing the previous requirement that they be nonprofit and Montana-based) to create prerelease centers, treatment centers, and residential methamphetamine treatment programs. These centers will provide alternative placement for offenders who have violated parole or probation, offer less restrictive environments than prisons, and help prepare inmates within 14 months of parole or release for reintegration into the community. The bill also allows DOC to contract for sexual offender treatment programs and day reporting programs as alternative sentencing options. Importantly, the bill includes provisions that limit contract duration to 20 years and require legislative audit committee review for long-term contracts. The bill maintains existing requirements that such facilities must have community support and be subject to local zoning regulations, ensuring that new correctional facilities are established with input from the communities where they will be located.

Justice

https://bills.legmt.gov/#/laws/bill/2/LC2317