2024 Legislative Session Week 3

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CHECKING IN AT THE LEGISLATURE: 2024 LEGISLATIVE SESSION WEEK THREE

Dear Friends and Neighbors,

It has been a busy week hearing many bills in committees and on the House Floor. We appreciate so many of you being part of the legislative process. You’ll see updates on my prison reform bills, education, and energy policy in this edition of my newsletter. Utilize the link here for browsing bills and watching committee hearings or floor times.

Warmest regards,

Melissa

HELPFUL LINKS

Click here to find out how to access a committee meeting online
To look up bills, watch committee or House voting live, click here
View my bills for this session here

UPCOMING EVENTS

You can watch us live on Saturday mornings for legislative updates on my Facebook page or the South Davis Community page.

IN THIS ISSUE

HB248 and HB278 INMATE AMENDMENTS
HB276 CRIME VICTIMS RESTITUTION AMENDMENTS
FOR UTAH STUDENTS AND TEACHERS
MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL IN UTAH
RELIABLE AND AFFORDABLE ENERGY
FRIENDS ON THE HILL

INMATE AMENDMENTS AND INMATE EDUCATION AMENDMENTS

HB248, 2nd Substitute Inmate Amendments, combines HB248 1st Substitute and HB278 Inmate Education Amendments. Of all the bills I’m running this session, this is my favorite. This bill completely changes the culture in corrections to help inmates be prepared to be returning citizens. Here are some of the amazing features of this bill:

1. Re-entry Division: This is necessary in Corrections to facilitate the preparation of inmates for their transition back into society as productive citizens. This includes gathering education records, state IDs, resumes, medical records, and information about services available in their returning city.

2. Board of Pardon and Parole Hearings: Requirements include completing records, determining timing for completion, periodically conferring with inmates to ensure they are on track or identifying reasons for deviations, and establishing incentives for good behavior and program completion.

3. Department of Corrections: The department utilizes the date of the inmate’s Board hearing to determine the timing of program completion and incentivize the inmate to work towards that goal. Initiate an inmate in at least two programs as soon as the case action plan is created. Throughout their time in corrections, prioritize the placement of inmates in county correctional facilities that meet specified requirements regarding inmate programs. Annually report publicly on the department’s data regarding inmate program completion. Ensure that an inmate may continue participating in programs under certain circumstances. Publish a notice informing individuals depositing money into an inmate’s account of how to review the inmate's financial records.

4. Post-secondary Education in Corrections: Provide student success advisors to facilitate applications, grants/scholarships, pathways, and class registration for inmates. Grant inmates in-state residency status for tuition purposes for one year after incarceration and offer post-secondary education for inmates housed in county jails.

5. New Position: Funding for one full-time equivalent (FTE) position to facilitate medications, doctors' appointments, and sharing of medical records for inmates re-entering our communities.

With former Utah Legislator and UDOC Director of Legislator Affairs and Policy Eric Hutchings, and Executive Director of Utah Dept of Corrections Brian Redd.

CRIME VICTIMS RESTITUTION AMENDMENTS

H.B. 276, 1st Substitute Crime Victims Restitution Amendments, facilitates communication between law enforcement and the Utah Victims of Crime office to determine who is eligible for Utah Victims of Crime services. It also clarifies that these records are protected and would result in a misdemeanor if released unlawfully. There was great collaboration with law enforcement to put forward H.B. 276, 1st Substitute, which establishes procedures that will aid the Department of Corrections in preparing inmates to successfully return to society. I want to express my gratitude and recognize several supporters who have provided invaluable assistance: Nate Mutter (Assistant Chief of Investigations, Utah Attorney General's Office), Jeff Buhman (Executive Director of Utah Statewide Association of Prosecutors & Public Attorneys), Brian Gwilliam (Chief of Police, Lone Peak and President of the Utah Chiefs of Police Association), Tom Ross (Executive Director of the Commission on Criminal and Juvenile Justice and Former Bountiful Police), my friend Dr. Susan Duehlmeier, Gary Scheller (Director of the Office of Victims of Crime), and Lana Taylor (Assistant Utah Attorney General).

FOR UTAH STUDENTS AND TEACHERS

Utah is proud to be home to the best teachers and the brightest students in the nation. I believe that investing in education is the best way to invest in the future generation and future prosperity of our state, which is why the Legislature is putting students, parents, and teachers first.

Watch for my bill, HB192 Local Education Agency Employee Paid Leave Bill Monday in the House Education Standing Committee. When addressing the problem of retaining and supporting teachers, providing a leave-sharing bank will help them take care of each other during times of illness, pregnancy, parental leave, etc. Utah has difficulty retaining teachers after 5 years. This will make a difference!

Over the last several years, both new teachers and those with decades of experience have been spread thin with growing and unmanageable workloads. The Legislature has provided teachers with a $6000 pay raise, paid professional hours, and other resources to make teaching a more desirable and rewarding career.

Listen to this week’s episode of the House podcast for the Legislature’s plans for education here.

To learn about the bills we will be considering in this session to empower teachers click here.

MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL IN UTAH

This week we were joined by baseball legend Dale Murphy as we passed a joint resolution in support of Major League Baseball in the Beehive state. From little league to the collegiate level, Utah has some of the most passionate sports fans in the country and we are eager for the opportunity to bring a major league team to Utah.

RELIABLE AND AFFORDABLE ENERGY

Investing in the state’s energy capabilities is a top priority this session, and I am committed to fighting back against the federal government and passing policies that ensure Utah’s current and future needs of reliability and affordability are met. Learn about the energy policies we’re debating here.

FRIENDS ON THE HILL

I appreciate the opportunities to speak with friends visiting the Capitol. My friends, Chief Craig Black (North Salt Lake) and Officer David Boucher (Centerville) ate lunch with me, where we spoke about issues and legislation related to law enforcement and corrections.

Gary Birdsall, our Bountiful neighbor, President and CEO of the South Salt Lake Chamber of Commerce.

I had the chance to discuss a bill that would impact students, HB109 Safe School Route Evaluations, with the students of Mountain Heights Academy.

Thank you to BikeUtah, Utah PTA, and the many other supporters of Safe School Route Evaluations for their efforts! I also would like to thank the Davis Chamber Leadership Institute and the Legislative Water Rally for inviting me to speak.