SB 200 -- WOMEN'S OFFENDER PROGRAM

SPONSOR:  Sims (Thompson)

COMMITTEE ACTION:  Voted "do pass by consent" by the Committee
on Correctional and State Institutions by a vote of 13 to 0.

This bill creates the women's offender program within the
Department of Corrections.  Women offenders under the program
will be provided a continuum of supervision strategies and
program services for female probationers, prisoners, and
parolees.

The bill also establishes an advisory committee of women's
programs.  It will be the duty of the advisory committee to
address the needs of women in the criminal justice system.

FISCAL NOTE:  No impact on state funds.

PROPONENTS:  Supporters say that the bill is needed to help meet
the needs of incarcerated women.  The current offender
classifications are basically set up for men.  This
classification is needed to make sure that women can get the
proper services and treatment while in the custody of the
department.  It is necessary to do this statutorily because all
classifications within the department are set up by statute.

Testifying for the bill were Senator Sims; and Representative
Thompson.

OPPONENTS:  There was no opposition voiced to the committee.

Bob Dominique, Legislative Analyst

Missouri House of Representatives
Last Updated November 26, 2001 at 11:47 am