A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT to direct the department of correction to expand the Sex Offender Accountability and responsibility (S.O.A.R.) Program, to appropriate funds for the s.o.a.r. pilot programs, and to Expand the scope of the department of correction study regarding mandatory Mental Health treatment programs for incarcerated sex offenders.
The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts:
SECTION 1.(a)  The Department of Correction shall expand the Sex Offender Accountability and Responsibility (S.O.A.R.) program by establishing two S.O.A.R. pilot programs at two other prisons to be determined by the Department of Correction.  The Department of Correction shall report to the House and Senate Appropriations Subcommittees on Justice and Public Safety regarding the location of the two pilot programs before implementing the pilot programs.  The S.O.A.R. Program, located at Harnett Correctional Center, is an intensive 20-week treatment program for sex offenders in prison and is the only treatment program for sex offenders in prison.  The S.O.A.R. Program is voluntary and its treatment philosophy is based on an offender admitting guilt and wanting treatment.
SECTION 1.(b)  In addition to the two pilot programs established pursuant to subsection (a) of this section, the Department of Correction shall also develop a proposal to implement a program similar to S.O.A.R. for sex offenders who are less than 21 years old.  The Department of Correction shall report to the House and Senate Appropriations Subcommittees on Justice and Public Safety regarding the proposal by April 15, 2007, and shall include in the report all of the following:  treatment methods recommended for use in the proposed program, cost estimate of the proposed program, and possible site locations for the proposed program.
SECTION 1.(c)  The Department of Correction shall track offenders who complete the S.O.A.R. Program and the two S.O.A.R. pilot programs to determine the recidivism rate of those who complete the program and to determine whether the program should be expanded statewide.
SECTION 2.  Section 18 of S.L. 2006‑247 directs the Department of Correction to study and develop a plan for mental health treatment programs for incarcerated sex offenders designed to reduce the likelihood of recidivism.  In conducting that study, the Department shall also do all of the following:
(1)	Identify the highest priority sex offenders who need treatment.
(2)	Address whether mental health treatment programs should be mandatory for sex offenders.
(3)	Determine the treatment approach and cost of implementing a mandatory treatment program.
SECTION 3.  There is appropriated from the General Fund to the Department of Correction the sum of seven hundred thirty‑nine thousand eight hundred seventy‑two dollars ($739,872) for the 2007‑2008 fiscal year to cover the start‑up costs for the two S.O.A.R. pilot programs established in Section 1(a) of this act and the sum of six hundred fifty‑seven thousand two hundred sixteen dollars ($657,216) for the 2008‑2009 fiscal year to maintain the two S.O.A.R. pilot programs.
SECTION 4.  This act becomes effective July 1, 2007.