_____________ bill NO. _____________

INTRODUCED BY _________________________________________________

By Request of the ****

A BILL FOR AN ACT ENTITLED: "AN ACT establishing a fatherhood education program for inmates; PROVIDING AN APPROPRIATION; and PROVIDING EFFECTIVE dates."

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

NEW SECTION. Section 1. Fatherhood education program for inmates. (1) There is a fatherhood education program to offer parenting and fatherhood skill classes to inmates of state and private prisons in Montana. The program must include counseling, family visits, and instruction to eligible inmates on parenting topics, including:

(a)        healthy parenting and coparenting practices;

(b)        home and family management, including budgeting, childhood nutrition, and home hygiene practices;

(c)        the effects parental substance use and domestic violence have on children;

(d)        child development;

(e)        practical parenting skills; and

(f)         other education and training that promotes healthy parenting and supports an inmate's family reintegration.

(2)        To be eligible for the program, an inmate must have children, be 6 or fewer months from the inmate's expected date of release or parole, and be in good standing with prison rules as determined by the prison.

(3)        The department of corrections may develop policies and procedures necessary for the development and administration of the fatherhood education program.

NEW SECTION. Section 2. Appropriation. There is appropriated $300,000 from the general fund to the department of corrections for the biennium beginning July 1, 2023, to pay for the costs of the program established in [section 1].

NEW SECTION. Section 3. Codification instruction. [Section 1] is intended to be codified as an integral part of Title 2, chapter 15, part 23, and the provisions of Title 2, chapter 15, part 23, apply to [section 1].

NEW SECTION. Section 4. Effective dates. (1) Except as provided in subsection (2), [this act] is effective October 1, 2023.

(2)        [Section 2] and this section are effective July 1, 2023.