Bill > H5927

This bill establishes a Restrictive Housing Oversight Committee to monitor the use of solitary confinement and other forms of restrictive housing in the state's department of corrections. The bill creates comprehensive regulations for prisoners in restrictive housing, including mandating at least two hours of out-of-cell time daily, ensuring access to basic necessities, and requiring detailed annual reporting on the use of restrictive housing. The committee will consist of five members, including a formerly incarcerated person, a nonprofit representative, a social worker, the public defender, and the corrections director. A key innovation is the creation of an ombudsperson who can investigate complaints, conduct facility inspections, and protect inmates' rights. The bill allows prisoners to seek declaratory judgments if they believe the department has violated the new regulations, and requires the committee to hold public hearings and meet with the governor and corrections director twice annually. Importantly, the bill defines specific protections for vulnerable populations, such as those with mental illnesses, developmental disabilities, or serious medical conditions, and aims to provide more transparency and oversight of restrictive housing practices in the state's correctional facilities.

Justice

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