Committee authorizes letter urging DOC to plan statewide rollout of pretrial supervision pilot

The Joint Justice Oversight Committee voted to authorize the chair to sign a letter to the General Assembly formalizing prior committee direction on a pretrial supervision pilot.

Ben Novogratzky summarized the letter, which notifies the General Assembly that the committee recommends implementing the pretrial supervision pilot first in Essex and Orleans counties. Representative Lalonde moved to authorize the chair to sign the amended letter, which adds language that "the department shall present a plan to implement the pretrial supervision program statewide to the committees of jurisdiction this upcoming legislative session." The motion passed by voice vote; members expressed support and asked DOC to provide a rollout plan to standing committees.

Committee members discussed timing and whether DOC should present plan details in advance of budget action; members said DOC should clarify funding needs and timing when they present their plan to standing committees.

Next steps: Ben will finalize the letter with the agreed language and provide it to the chair for signature; DOC was requested to prepare a statewide rollout plan and to indicate anticipated funding needs during the upcoming session.