HOUSE BILL NO. 424

INTRODUCED BY J. MANGAN

A BILL FOR AN ACT ENTITLED: "AN ACT REVISING THE COMMUNITY CORRECTIONS ACT; PROVIDING THE MONTANA BOARD OF CRIME CONTROL WITH AUTHORITY TO GRANT FUNDS TO COMMUNITY CORRECTIONS ADVISORY BOARDS; PROVIDING RULEMAKING AUTHORITY; AMENDING SECTIONS 46-18-104, 46-18-105, 46-18-201, 53-30-303, 53-30-321, AND 53-30-322, MCA; AND REPEALING SECTIONS 53-30-311, 53-30-312, 53-30-313, AND 53-30-323, MCA."

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MONTANA:

NEW SECTION. Section 1. Community corrections advisory board. A unit of local government, a tribal government, or any combination of units of local government or tribal governments may establish and operate a community corrections advisory board for the purpose of coordinating or operating community corrections programs. A unit of local government or a tribal government, in consultation with the community corrections advisory board, shall coordinate or operate community corrections programs for any of the following:

(1) the prevention of crime or delinquency;

(2) persons sentenced to imprisonment in a county or local detention center other than a state-owned, -operated, or -contracted correctional facility;

(3) committed offenders;

(4) persons ordered to participate in community corrections programs as a condition of probation.

NEW SECTION. Section 2. Community corrections programs authorized. (1) The community corrections programs described in [section 1] may include the following:

(a) residential or work release programs;

(b) house arrest, home detention, and electronic monitoring programs;

(c) community service restitution programs;

(d) victim-offender reconciliation programs;

(e) detention center services programs;

(f) detention center work crews;

(g) community work crews;

(h) juvenile detention alternative programs;

(i) day reporting programs; and

(j) other community corrections programs approved by the board.

(2) The community corrections advisory board may also coordinate and operate educational, mental health, drug or alcohol abuse counseling, housing, as a part of any of these programs, or supervision services for persons described in [section 1].

NEW SECTION. Section 3. Allowable acquisition and funding. (1) A unit of local government, a tribal government, or any combination of units of local government or tribal governments may acquire premises and facilities for community corrections programs by purchase, lease, or gift. These facilities and programs may be established and operated under a written contract with existing public or private agencies or institutions.

(2) To provide necessary funding for the establishment, operation, and coordination of community corrections programs, a unit of local government or tribal government may use unexpended funds, use appropriate tax funds, accept gifts, grants, and subsidies from any lawful source, and apply for and accept federal funds.

(3) Private agencies may receive funding from any lawful source and must comply with applicable state law.

(4) Two or more units of local government or tribal governments may contract with each other for programs or purchase from one or more units of local government or tribal governments for the use of these programs.

(5) [Sections 1 through 7] do not exempt a facility or program from applicable licensing, inspection, or other supervisory requirements imposed by law.

NEW SECTION. Section 4. Community corrections advisory board. (1) To qualify for financial aid under [sections 8 through 12], a unit of local government or tribal government shall establish a community corrections advisory board by resolution of the executive body of the unit of local government or tribal government. A community corrections advisory board must have at least eight members, and the following persons must be given the opportunity to serve on the board:

(a) a member from law enforcement for the unit of local government or tribal government, appointed by the chief law enforcement officer, or a designee;

(b) the county attorney or the county attorney's designee;

(c) the director of the county office of child and family services or the director's designee;

(d) the executive of the most populous municipality of or within the unit of local government or tribal government or the executive's designee;

(e) one judge from a court of limited jurisdiction, if available, appointed by the board of county commissioners, or the judge's designee;

(f) one district court judge, appointed by the chief judge if the unit of local government is located in a multijudge judicial district, or one tribal judge, appointed by the executive body of the tribal government, or the judge's designee;

(g) one public defender or the public defender's designee, if available, or one attorney with a substantial criminal defense practice, appointed by the executive body of the unit of local government or tribal government;

(h) one victim, or victim advocate if available, appointed by the executive body of the unit of local government or tribal government;

(i) one ex-offender, if available, appointed by the executive body of the unit of local government or tribal government; and

(j) the following members appointed by the executive body of a unit of local government or tribal government:

(i) one member of the executive body of a unit of local government or tribal government, with responsibilities for fiscal matters, or the member's designee;

(ii) one probation and parole officer or juvenile probation officer or juvenile parole officer;

(iii) one school district representative;

(iv) one representative of a private correctional agency, if such an agency exists in the county;

(v) one representative of a community mental health center or, if there is none available within the unit of local government or tribal government, one psychiatrist, psychologist, or physician;

(vi) four lay persons, at least one of whom must be a member of a minority race if a racial minority resides within the area governed by the unit of local government or tribal government and a member of that minority is willing to serve.

(2) Designees of officials designated under subsections (1)(a) through (1)(g) and (1)(j)(i) serve at the pleasure of the designating official.

(3) Members of the community corrections advisory board appointed by an executive body of a unit of local government or tribal government are appointed for a term of 4 years. The defense attorney, the ex-offender, and the victim or victim advocate are appointed for a term of 4 years. Other members serve only while holding the office or position held at the time of appointment. A vacancy occurring before the expiration of the term of office must be filled in the same manner as the original appointment for the unexpired term. Members may be reappointed.

(4) Two or more units of local government or tribal governments, by resolution of the respective executive bodies, may combine to apply for financial aid under [sections 8 through 12]. If combined, the units of local government or tribal governments may establish one community corrections advisory board to serve these units of local government or tribal governments. This community corrections advisory board must contain the representation prescribed in subsection (1), but the members may come from the participating units of local government or tribal governments as determined by agreement of the executive bodies.

(5) The members of the community corrections advisory board shall, within 30 days after the last initial appointment is made, meet and elect one member as presiding officer and another as vice presiding officer and appoint a secretary-treasurer who need not be a member. For purposes of transacting business, a majority of the membership constitutes a quorum. The affirmative votes of at least five members, but not less than a majority of the members present, are required for the community corrections advisory board to take action. A vacancy in the membership does not impair the right of a quorum to transact business.

(6) The executive body of each participating unit of local government or tribal government shall provide necessary assistance and appropriations to the community corrections advisory board established for that unit of local government or tribal government. Appropriations required under this subsection are limited to amounts received from the following sources:

(a) board grants;

(b) user fees; and

(c) other funds as contained within an approved community corrections plan.

(7) Additional funds may be appropriated as determined by the executive body of the unit of local government or tribal government.

NEW SECTION. Section 5. Powers and duties of community corrections advisory boards. (1) A community corrections advisory board shall:

(a) formulate the community corrections plan and the application for financial aid required by [section 9];

(b) observe and coordinate community corrections programs in the county;

(c) make an annual report to the executive body of the unit of local government or tribal government that contains an evaluation of the effectiveness of programs receiving financial aid under [sections 8 through 12] and recommendations for improvement, modification, or discontinuance of these programs;

(d) ensure that programs receiving financial aid under [sections 8 through 12] comply with the standards adopted by the board under [section 10]; and

(e) recommend to the executive body of the unit of local government or tribal government the approval or disapproval of contracts with other units of local government, units of tribal governments, or nongovernmental agencies that desire to participate in the community corrections plan. Before recommending approval of a contract, the community corrections advisory board shall determine that a program is capable of meeting the standards adopted by the board under [section 10].

(2) A community corrections advisory board shall:

(a) adopt bylaws for the conduct of its own business;

(b) hold a regular meeting at least once every 3 months and at other times as needed to conduct all necessary business. Dates of regular meetings must be established at the first meeting of each year.

(c) comply with the public meeting and notice requirements under Title 2, chapter 3, part 2.

(3) A community corrections advisory board may maintain an office as designated by the executive body of the unit of local government or tribal government.

(4) The director, if any, of the community corrections program must be appointed by the community corrections advisory board, subject to the approval of the executive body of the unit of local government or tribal government. A director may be removed for cause by a majority vote of the community corrections advisory board, subject to the approval of the executive body of the unit of local government or tribal government.

(5) The community corrections advisory board may establish personnel policies, procedures, and salary classification schedules for its paid employees. Unless designated as volunteers, employees of a community corrections program are employees of the unit of local government or tribal government. The policies, procedures, and schedules established under this subsection may not be inconsistent with those established for other employees.

NEW SECTION. Section 6. Allowable expenditures for financial aid. (1) A unit of local government or tribal government may not use funds received under [sections 8 through 12] to replace its spending for correctional purposes or to construct or renovate county detention centers.

(2) Units of local government or tribal governments acting jointly may use funds received under [sections 8 through 12] to construct a county-operated residential work release facility if the facility is not:

(a) physically connected to a detention center; or

(b) used to house offenders who are required to serve their sentence in a county detention center.

(3) The board may provide funds under [sections 8 through 12] for the construction of a facility described under subsection (2) in an amount that does not exceed 50% of the cost of construction of the facility. The funds provided under this subsection may not be used for any purpose other than the construction of the facility.

(4) The unit of local government or tribal government acting under subsection (2) shall provide the funds required for:

(a) the construction of the facility in addition to the funds provided by the board under subsection (3);

(b) the operation of the facility; and

(c) the administration of the community corrections program.

(5) A residential work release facility constructed under subsection (2) may not be used for any purpose other than the operation of a community corrections program during the 10-year period following the completion of construction.

NEW SECTION. Section 7. Termination of community corrections advisory board and participation in financial aid program. A unit of local government or tribal government receiving financial aid under [sections 8 through 12] may terminate its participation by delivering a resolution of the executive body of the unit of local government or tribal government. Upon withdrawal from the subsidy program, the executive body of a unit of local government or tribal government may adopt a resolution stating that it is in the best interests of the county that the community corrections advisory board be dissolved, and upon adopting a resolution, the executive body of the unit of local government or tribal government shall pay and discharge any debts or liabilities of the community corrections advisory board, collect and distribute assets of the community corrections advisory board under applicable state laws, and pay over any remaining proceeds or property to the proper fund.

NEW SECTION. Section 8. State grants for community corrections. For the purpose of encouraging units of local government and tribal governments to develop a coordinated local corrections-criminal justice system and providing effective alternatives to imprisonment at the state level, the board shall make grants to units of local government and tribal governments for the establishment and operation of community corrections programs. Money appropriated to the board for the purpose of making grants under [sections 8 through 12] does not revert to the general fund at the close of any fiscal year, but remains available to the board for its use in making grants under [sections 8 through 12].

NEW SECTION. Section 9. Application for financial aid. (1) A unit of local government or tribal government or a combination of units of local government or tribal governments seeking financial aid under [sections 8 through 12] shall apply to the board in a manner and form prescribed by the board by rule. The application must include a community corrections plan that has been approved by the community corrections advisory board and the executive body of each unit of local government or tribal government. A unit of local government or tribal government may not receive financial aid until its application is approved by the board.

(2) A community corrections plan must comply with rules adopted under [section 10] and must include:

(a) a description of each program for which financial aid is sought;

(b) the purpose, objective, administrative structure, staffing, and duration of the program;

(c) the program's total operating budget, including all other sources of anticipated income;

(d) the amount of community involvement and client participation in the program;

(e) the location and description of facilities that will be used in the program; and

(f) the manner in which counties that jointly apply for financial aid under [sections 8 through 12] will operate a coordinated community corrections program.

(3) A community corrections plan must be annually updated, approved by the executive body of each unit of local government or tribal government, and submitted to the board.

(4) An amendment to or substantial modification of an approved community corrections plan may not be placed in effect until the community corrections advisory board and executive body of each unit of local government or tribal government have approved the amendment or modification.

(5) A copy of the final plan as approved by the board must be made available to the board in a timely manner.

NEW SECTION. Section 10. Board duties and responsibilities -- rulemaking. (1) The board shall:

(a) provide consultation and technical assistance to units of local government or tribal governments to aid in the development of community corrections plans;

(b) provide training for community corrections personnel and community corrections advisory board members to the extent that funds are available;

(c) examine and either approve or disapprove applications for financial aid. The board's approval or disapproval must be based on [sections 8 through 12] and the rules adopted under this section.

(d) keep the governor and the legislature informed of the amount of appropriation needed to adequately fund programs under [sections 1 through 7];

(e) keep counties informed of money appropriated for the purposes of [sections 1 through 7];

(f) provide an approved training curriculum for community corrections field officers.

(2) The board shall adopt administrative rules governing:

(a) application for financial aid under [sections 8 through 12], including the content of community corrections plans;

(b) the disbursement of money to a unit of local government or tribal government and the mechanism for the unit of government or tribal government to certify expenditures;

(c) minimum standards for the establishment, operation, and evaluation of programs receiving financial aid under [sections 8 through 12]. The standards must be sufficiently flexible to foster the development of new and improved correctional practices.

(d) a formula or other method of determining a participating unit of local government's or tribal government's share of funds appropriated for purposes of [sections 1 through 7]. This formula or method must be approved by the board before the formula is adopted and must be designed to accurately reflect a unit of local government's or tribal government's correctional needs and ability to pay.

(e) the maximum amount that a community corrections program or a court may assess as a user fee under [section 12]; and

(f) administration by community corrections advisory boards of community corrections funds and the community corrections home detention fund, including criteria for expenditures from the funds.

(3) The board may:

(a) visit and inspect any program receiving financial aid under [sections 8 through 12];

(b) require a participating unit of local government or tribal government or program to submit information or statistics pertinent to the review of applications and programs;

(c) expend up to 3% of the money appropriated to the board for community correction grants to provide technical assistance, consultation, and training to units of local government or tribal governments and to monitor and evaluate program delivery.

(4) Notwithstanding any law prohibiting advance payments, the board may advance grant money to a unit of local government or tribal government in order to assist a community corrections program. However, not more than 25% of the amount awarded to a community corrections program may be paid in advance.

(5) The board may not disburse more funds to any unit of local government or tribal government under [sections 8 through 12] than are required to fund the community corrections plan.

(6) To remain eligible for financial aid under [sections 8 through 12], a unit of local government or tribal government shall comply with its community corrections plan and the rules and minimum standards adopted by the board under this section. If the board determines that there are reasonable grounds to believe that a unit of local government or tribal government is not complying with its plan, the rules, or the minimum standards, the board shall, after giving at least 30 days' written notice to the executive body of each unit of local government or tribal government, the community corrections advisory board, and the chief administrator of the program, conduct a hearing to ascertain whether compliance has been achieved. Upon a finding of noncompliance, the board may suspend any part of the financial aid until compliance is achieved.

(7) Failure of a unit of local government or tribal government to qualify for financial aid under [sections 8 through 12] does not affect its eligibility for other state funds for correctional purposes otherwise provided by law.

NEW SECTION. Section 11. Authority not impaired. [Sections 1 through 7] do not limit or impair the statutory authority of any elected official, including the county sheriff's authority over the county detention center and persons confined in a county detention center.

NEW SECTION. Section 12. Community corrections fund. (1) A community corrections fund is established in each unit of local government or tribal government having a community corrections program. The fund must be administered by the community corrections advisory board in accordance with rules adopted by the board under [section 10]. The expenses of administering the fund must be paid from money in the fund. Money in the fund at the end of a fiscal year does not revert to any other fund. The fund consists of fees deposited under subsection (2). Money in the fund may be used only for the provision of community corrections program services, including services allowed under [section 10(3)(c)].

(2) A community corrections program may collect from a participant a user fee assessed in accordance with rules adopted under [section 10]. Community corrections user fees collected under this section must be deposited in the community corrections fund established by this section.

Section 13. Section 46-18-104, MCA, is amended to read:

"46-18-104. Definitions. As used in 46-18-101, 46-18-104, 46-18-105, 46-18-201, and 46-18-225, unless the context requires otherwise, the following definitions apply:

(1) "Community corrections" or "community corrections program" means a community corrections program as defined in 53-30-303.

(2) "Crime of violence" means:

(a) a crime in which an offender uses or possesses and threatens to use a deadly weapon during the commission or attempted commission of a crime;

(b) a crime in which the offender causes a serious bodily injury or death to a person other than himself; or

(c) any sexual offense in which the offender causes bodily injury to the victim or uses threat, intimidation, or force against the victim.

(3) "Nonviolent felony offender" means a person who has entered a plea of guilty to a felony offense other than a crime of violence or who has been convicted of a felony offense other than a crime of violence."

Section 14. Section 46-18-105, MCA, is amended to read:

"46-18-105. Community corrections programs. The department of corrections may provide community corrections programs for the rehabilitation of nonviolent felony offenders, as authorized under Title 53, chapter 30, part 3."

Section 15. Section 46-18-201, MCA, is amended to read:

"46-18-201. Sentences that may be imposed. (1) Whenever a person has been found guilty of an offense upon a verdict or a plea of guilty, the court may:

(a) defer imposition of sentence, except as provided in 61-8-734 for sentences for driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs or as provided in 61-6-304, for a period, except as otherwise provided, not exceeding 1 year for any misdemeanor or for a period not exceeding 3 years for any felony. The sentencing judge may impose upon the defendant any reasonable restrictions or conditions during the period of the deferred imposition. Reasonable restrictions or conditions may include:

(i) jail base release;

(ii) jail time not exceeding 180 days;

(iii) conditions for probation;

(iv) payment of the costs of confinement;

(v) payment of a fine as provided in 46-18-231;

(vi) payment of costs as provided in 46-18-232 and 46-18-233;

(vii) payment of costs of court-appointed counsel as provided in 46-8-113;

(viii) with the approval of the program, an order that the offender be placed in a community corrections program as provided in 53-30-321;

(ix) with the approval of the prerelease center or prerelease program and confirmation by the department of corrections that space is available, an order that the offender be placed in a prerelease center or prerelease program for a period not to exceed 1 year;

(x) community service;

(xi) home arrest as provided in Title 46, chapter 18, part 10;

(xii) any other reasonable conditions considered necessary for rehabilitation or for the protection of society;

(xiii) payment of expenses for use of a judge pro tempore or special master as provided in 3-5-116; or

(xiv) any combination of the restrictions or conditions in subsections (1)(a)(i) through (1)(a)(xiii).

(b) suspend execution of sentence for a period up to the maximum sentence allowed or for a period of 6 months, whichever is greater, for each particular offense. The sentencing judge may impose on the defendant any reasonable restrictions or conditions during the period of suspended sentence. Reasonable restrictions or conditions may include any of those listed in subsection (1)(a).

(c) impose a fine as provided by law for the offense;

(d) require payment of costs, as provided in 46-18-232, or payment of costs of court-appointed counsel as provided in 46-8-113;

(e) impose a county jail or state prison sentence, as provided in Title 45, for the offense or commit the defendant to the department of corrections for a period not to exceed 5 years for placement in an appropriate correctional facility or program;

(f) with the approval of the program, order the offender to be placed in a community corrections program as provided in 53-30-321;

(g) with the approval of the prerelease center or prerelease program and confirmation by the department of corrections that space is available, order the offender to be placed in a prerelease center or prerelease program for a period not to exceed 1 year; or

(h) impose any combination of subsections (1)(b) through (1)(g).

(2) In addition to any penalties imposed pursuant to subsection (1), if the court finds that the victim of the offense has sustained a pecuniary loss, the court shall require payment of full restitution to the victim as provided in 46-18-241 through 46-18-249.

(3) If a financial obligation is imposed as a condition under subsection (1)(a), sentence may be deferred for a period not exceeding 2 years for a misdemeanor or for a period not exceeding 6 years for a felony, regardless of whether any other conditions are imposed.

(4) If any restrictions or conditions imposed under subsection (1)(a) or (1)(b) are violated, the court shall consider any elapsed time and either expressly allow part or all of it as a credit against the sentence or reject all or part as a credit. The court shall state its reasons in the order. Credit, however, must be allowed for jail or home arrest time already served.

(5) Except as provided in 45-9-202 and 46-18-222, the imposition or execution of the first 2 years of a sentence of imprisonment imposed under the following sections may not be deferred or suspended: 45-5-103, 45-5-202(3) relating to aggravated assault, 45-5-302(2), 45-5-303(2), 45-5-401(2), 45-5-502(3), 45-5-503(2) and (3), 45-9-101(2), (3), and (5)(d), 45-9-102(4), and 45-9-103(2).

(6) Except as provided in 46-18-222, the imposition or execution of the first 10 years of a sentence of imprisonment imposed under 45-5-102 may not be deferred or suspended.

(7) Except as provided in 46-18-222, imposition of sentence in a felony case may not be deferred in the case of a defendant who has been convicted of a felony on a prior occasion, whether or not the sentence was imposed, imposition of the sentence was deferred, or execution of the sentence was suspended.

(8) If the victim was less than 16 years old, the imposition or execution of the first 30 days of a sentence of imprisonment imposed under 45-5-503, 45-5-504, 45-5-505, or 45-5-507 may not be deferred or suspended. Section 46-18-222 does not apply to the first 30 days of the imprisonment.

(9) In imposing a sentence on a defendant convicted of a sexual or violent offense as defined in 46-23-502, the court may not waive the registration requirement provided in Title 46, chapter 23, part 5.

(10) A person convicted of a sexual offense, as defined in 46-23-502, and sentenced to imprisonment in the state prison shall enroll in and complete the educational phase of the prison's sexual offender program. If the person is subject to the provisions of 45-5-512, the person shall also, as provided in 45-5-512, undergo medically safe medroxyprogesterone acetate treatment or its chemical equivalent or other medically safe drug treatment that reduces sexual fantasies, sex drive, or both, paid for by and for a period of time determined by the department of corrections. The period may not exceed the period of state supervision of the person.

(11) In sentencing a nonviolent felony offender, the court shall first consider alternatives to imprisonment of the offender in a state prison, including placement of the offender in a community corrections program or a prerelease center or prerelease program. In considering alternatives to imprisonment, the court shall examine the sentencing criteria contained in 46-18-225. If the court subsequently sentences the offender to a state prison, the court shall state the reasons why it did not select an alternative to imprisonment, based on the criteria contained in 46-18-225.

(12) If a felony sentence includes probation, the department of corrections shall supervise the defendant unless the court specifies otherwise.

(13) Except as provided in 46-18-222, a provision of this section that conflicts with 46-18-219 does not apply to a person sentenced under 46-18-219."

Section 16. Section 53-30-303, MCA, is amended to read:

"53-30-303. Definitions. As used in this part, unless the context requires otherwise, the following definitions apply:

(1) "Board" means the board of crime control provided for in 2-15-2006.

(2) "Community corrections board" means a community corrections board as provided in 53-30-312.

(3) "Community corrections program" means a community-based program that

provides preventive services, services to offenders, services to persons charged with a crime or an act of delinquency, services to persons diverted from the criminal or delinquency process, services to persons sentenced to imprisonment, or services to victims of crime or delinquency and that is operated under a community corrections plan of a unit of local government or tribal government and funded at least in part by the grant program as provided for in [sections 8 through 12].

(4) "Department" means the department of corrections created in 2-15-2301.

(5) "Executive body" means the governing body of the unit of local government or tribal government.

(6) "Nongovernmental agency" means a person, private, nonprofit agency, corporation, association, labor organization, or other nongovernmental entity.

(7) "Offender" means a person who has entered a plea of guilty or has been convicted of a criminal offense.

(8) "Tribal government" means a federally recognized Indian tribe within the state of Montana.

(9) "Unit of local government" means a county, city, town, or city-county consolidated government."

Section 17. Section 53-30-321, MCA, is amended to read:

"53-30-321. Authority of judge to use community corrections facilities or programs -- restrictions. (1) Subject to the restrictions contained in subsection (2), a judge may order placement of an offender in a community corrections program operated by a unit of local government, a tribal government, or a nongovernmental agency.

(2) A judge may not order placement of an offender in a residential community corrections program for a period exceeding 1 year. After completing the residential community corrections portion of a sentence, an offender shall serve the remainder of the sentence under normal probation supervision, if applicable.

(3) An offender is not eligible for parole while serving a sentence in a community corrections program.

(4) The probation and parole officers for the judicial district shall include in their presentence report to the sentencing judge recommendations for use of a community corrections program that has been approved for use by the judicial district."

Section 18. Section 53-30-322, MCA, is amended to read:

"53-30-322. Powers and responsibilities of department. (1) The department may:

(a) upon the request of a local community corrections board, provide assistance in the planning of community corrections programs; and

(b) contract with a community corrections program for the provision of services for offenders under the custody of the department. The contract must address program review and evaluation, accounting and reporting standards, and reimbursement of the program.

(2) Reimbursement to a community corrections program operated by the department for the cost of room, board, and services is to be paid at a rate established under 53-1-501."

NEW SECTION. Section 19. Repealer. Sections 53-30-311, 53-30-312, 53-30-313, and 53-30-323, MCA, are repealed.

NEW SECTION. Section 20. Notification to tribal governments. The secretary of state shall send a copy of [this act] to each tribal government located on the seven Montana reservations and to the Little Shell band of Chippewa.

NEW SECTION. Section 21. Codification instruction. [Sections 1 through 12] are intended to be codified as an integral part of Title 53, chapter 30, part 3, and the provisions of Title 53, chapter 30, part 3, apply to [sections 1 through 12].

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