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1999 State Prison Privatization Laws

It is early October. As the state legislative sessions wind down, only three states remain in regular session, two are in special session, one is in veto session. The staff at Private Prisons Watch thought it was time to do a review of the new laws enacted thus far. Here are the highlights:

Alabama

HB 106:

Relates to the Corrections Department; provides for penal institutions not to be transferred, leased, or placed under the management of a nongovernmental entities for purposes of profit without the consent of the Legislature.

Alaska

SB 33:

Relates to the Task Force on Privatization.

Arkansas

HB 1142:

Adds a new section to the Corrections Cooperative Endeavors and Private Management Act to limit speculative prison construction.

HB 1308:

Clarifies the definition of imprisonment to include privately operated detention facilities.

SB 33:

Requires state agencies to report to the Legislative Council and OPM when the agency privatizes a function; prohibits utilizing positions terminated due to privatization.

Georgia

HB 399:

Authorizes each county and municipal corporation to enter into leases and contracts with private persons for the operation and maintenance of its waste-water treatment system, water system, stormwater system, sewer system, or any combination of such systems.

Montana

SB 33:

Revises laws governing prisons and prisoners; clarifies that a private prison facility licensed by the Department of Corrections is a state prison; clarifies the procedure for the issuance of a license to a private prison facility; clarifies that a private prison may house only inmates charged or convicted in Montana unless the inmate is housed pursuant to the western interstate corrections compact or the interstate corrections compact.

Oklahoma

HB 1053:

Relates to private prison contracts and the Department of Corrections.

SB 376:

Enacts the Oklahoma Privatization of State Functions Act; relates to contracts; relates to state employees and officers by restricting employment in a business organization which is a party to a privatization contract for a period of 1 year.

Texas

SB 1730:

Relates to contracts between commissioners courts and private vendors for certain corrections facilities.

Utah

HB 131:

Creates standards and requirements for a private correctional facility to contract with the Department of Corrections to house; provides services for inmates.


1998 State Prison Privatization Laws


 

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