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Committee backs repeal of ban on lodging incapacitated people in corrections while urging expansion of public inebriate programs
Summary
Lawmakers moved to repeal a statutory ban on using Department of Corrections space to lodge people described as "incapacitated," while directing agencies to prioritize building public inebriate programs (PIPs), especially in Chittenden County, and asking agencies to report back next session.
The Judiciary Committee on April 20 heard testimony on S.36 and agreed to amend the bill to repeal a statutory prohibition on using Department of Corrections (DOC) facilities to lodge people who are "incapacitated," while pressing state agencies to expand public inebriate programs and report progress early in the next session.
The change responds to testimony that in some counties law enforcement and emergency departments have limited options for housing people who are intoxicated or otherwise incapacitated but do not require arrest or hospital admission. Representative Doug Bishop, who spoke to the committee about the bill on behalf of the House Human Services Committee, said the panel concluded repeal is appropriate only if other options are being developed.
"This is not a criminal offense. It's a civil matter," Representative Doug Bishop said,…
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