Committee advances bill to codify and fund DOC family support program; committee votes draft 1.2 out with one dissent

The Corrections & Institutions Committee voted to advance draft 1.2 of H.219, a bill to establish a Department of Corrections Family Support Program that would provide parenting and family supports to incarcerated parents and guardians. Committee members discussed program scope, phased implementation, reporting requirements and appropriations before approving the draft by roll call.

The bill as drafted requires the Department of Corrections (DOC) to establish the family support program and to provide parenting and family-support services to incarcerated parents and guardians. Committee amendments removed findings language while retaining intent language and changed draft text to make statewide expansion contingent on funding. Section 4 of the draft specifies that the program “shall first implement” services at the Chittenden Regional Correctional Facility and Northern State Correctional Facility;…