GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF NORTH CAROLINA

SESSION 1995

S	1 

SENATE BILL 1475

Short Title:  IMPACT Study Funds.	(Public)

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Sponsors: Senator Page.

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Referred to:  Appropriations.

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June 3, 1996

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT TO DIRECT THE DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTION TO RECOMMEND WAYS TO INCREASE AWARENESS OF THE INTENSIVE MOTIVATION PROGRAM OF ALTERNATIVE CORRECTIONAL TREATMENT (IMPACT) AND ENCOURAGE GREATER USE OF THE PROGRAM AS AN ALTERNATIVE TO TRADITIONAL INCARCERATION.
The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts:
Section 1.  Subsection (c) of Section 19 of Chapter 24 of the Session Laws of the 1994 Extra Session, as amended by Section 19.3 of the 1995 Session Laws, reads as rewritten:
"(c)	The Department of Correction shall evaluate the IMPACT program and the post-Boot Camp probation program funded under this section and report by January 1 of each year to the Joint Legislative Commission on Governmental Operations, the Joint Legislative Corrections Oversight Committee, and the Fiscal Research Division.  The evaluation of the IMPACT program and the post-Boot Camp probation program shall include a comparison of that program's effectiveness, cost, and recidivism rate to other corrections programs for offenders in the same age group and similar offense classes as that covered by the IMPACT program.  In its report due by January 1, 1997, the Department of Correction shall address utilization of the IMPACT program with regard to available beds.  In particular, the Department of Correction, in consultation with the Administrative Office of the Courts, shall review current methods for disseminating information about the IMPACT program and recommend any means of increasing awareness of the program among judges and probation officers and encouraging greater use of the program.  As part of this study, the Departments shall survey judges and other court officials about their awareness and use of the IMPACT program as a sentencing option that provides an alternative to traditional incarceration."
Sec. 2.  There is appropriated from the General Fund to the Department of Correction the sum of one thousand dollars ($1,000) for the 1996-97 fiscal year to expand the analysis and evaluation of the IMPACT program as directed in this act.
Sec. 3.  This act becomes effective July 1, 1996.