HB 0713 2003
1	A bill to be entitled
2	An act relating to transportation of inmates; amending s.
3	945.091, F.S.; limiting the mode of transport an inmate
4	may use in traveling to and from a place of employment,
5	education, or training; authorizing the Department of
6	Corrections to transport inmates in state-owned vehicles
7	under certain circumstances; creating s. 945.0913, F.S.;
8	prohibiting an inmate from driving a state-owned vehicle
9	to transport inmates in a work-release program; providing
10	an effective date.
11
12	Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Florida:
13
14	Section 1. Subsection (1) of section 945.091, Florida
15	Statutes, is amended to read:
16	945.091 Extension of the limits of confinement;
17	restitution by employed inmates.--
18	(1) The department may adopt rules permitting the
19	extension of the limits of the place of confinement of an inmate
20	as to whom there is reasonable cause to believe that the inmate
21	will honor his or her trust by authorizing the inmate, under
22	prescribed conditions and following investigation and approval
23	by the secretary, or the secretary's designee, who shall
24	maintain a written record of such action, to leave the confines
25	of that place unaccompanied by a custodial agent for a
26	prescribed period of time to:
27	(a) Visit, for a specified period, a specifically
28	designated place or places:
29	1. For the purpose of visiting a dying relative, attending
30	the funeral of a relative, or arranging for employment or for a
31	suitable residence for use when released;
32	2. To otherwise aid in the rehabilitation of the inmate
33	and his or her successful transition into the community; or
34	3. For another compelling reason consistent with the
35	public interest, and return to the same or another institution
36	or facility designated by the Department of Corrections.
37	(b) Work at paid employment, participate in an education
38	or a training program, or voluntarily serve a public or
39	nonprofit agency or faith-based service group in the community,
40	while continuing as an inmate of the institution or facility in
41	which the inmate is confined, except during the hours of his or
42	her employment, education, training, or service and traveling
43	thereto and therefrom. An inmate may travel to and from his or
44	her place of employment, education, or training only by means of
45	walking, bicycling, or using public transportation or
46	transportation that is provided by a family member or employer.
47	Contingent upon specific appropriations, the department may
48	transport an inmate in a state-owned vehicle if the inmate is
49	unable to obtain other means of travel to his or her place of
50	employment, education, or training.
51	1. An inmate may participate in paid employment only
52	during the last 36 months of his or her confinement, unless
53	sooner requested by the Parole Commission or the Control Release
54	Authority.
55	2. While working at paid employment and residing in the
56	facility, an inmate may apply for placement at a contracted
57	substance abuse transition housing program. The transition
58	assistance specialist shall inform the inmate of program
59	availability and assess the inmate's need and suitability for
60	transition housing assistance. If an inmate is approved for
61	placement, the specialist shall assist the inmate. If an inmate
62	requests and is approved for placement in a contracted faith-
63	based substance abuse transition housing program, the specialist
64	must consult with the chaplain prior to such placement. The
65	department shall ensure that an inmate's faith orientation, or
66	lack thereof, will not be considered in determining admission to
67	a faith-based program and that the program does not attempt to
68	convert an inmate toward a particular faith or religious
69	preference.
70	(c) Participate in a residential or nonresidential
71	rehabilitative program operated by a public or private nonprofit
72	agency, including faith-based service groups, with which the
73	department has contracted for the treatment of such inmate. The
74	provisions of ss. 216.311 and 287.057 shall apply to all
75	contracts between the department and any private entity
76	providing such services. The department shall require such
77	agency to provide appropriate supervision of inmates
78	participating in such program. The department is authorized to
79	terminate any inmate's participation in the program if such
80	inmate fails to demonstrate satisfactory progress in the program
81	as established by departmental rules.
82	Section 2. Section 945.0913, Florida Statutes, is created
83	to read:
84	945.0913 Inmates prohibited from driving state-owned
85	vehicles to transport inmates in a work-release program.--An
86	inmate may not drive a state-owned vehicle for the purpose of
87	transporting inmates who are participating in a work-release
88	program authorized in s. 945.091(1)(b).
89	Section 3. This act shall take effect October 1, 2003.