SENATE BILL NO. 198

INTRODUCED BY C. CHRISTIAENS

A BILL FOR AN ACT ENTITLED: "AN ACT REQUIRING THE DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS TO PROVIDE FOR THE DISCHARGE OF INMATES ON THE FIRST DAY OF THE MONTH; ALLOWING THE DEPARTMENT TO GRANT INMATES DISCHARGE CREDITS IN AN AMOUNT UP TO 30 DAYS TO COORDINATE WITH THE MONTHLY DISCHARGE SCHEDULE; AND PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE."

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

NEW SECTION. Section 1. Monthly discharge schedule -- discharge credits. (1) The department of corrections shall arrange for the discharge of inmates or offenders subject to its jurisdiction on the first day of the month from:

(a) Montana state prison and Montana women's prison;

(b) Montana's regional correctional facilities;

(c) private correctional facilities operating in Montana;

(d) prerelease facilities or programs;

(e) intensive supervision programs; and

(f) home arrest programs for adult felons.

(2) The department may grant a discharge credit in an amount necessary to permit the inmate or offender to discharge the inmate's or offender's sentence to coordinate with a monthly discharge date that precedes the inmate's or offender's regular discharge date. Credits for the discharge of a sentence under this subsection may not exceed 30 days.

NEW SECTION. Section 2. Codification instruction. [Section 1] is intended to be codified as an integral part of Title 53, chapter 30, part 1, and the provisions of Title 53, chapter 30, part 1, apply to [section 1].

NEW SECTION. Section 3. Effective date. [This act] is effective July 1, 1999.

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