Senate Bill No. 163
(By Senator Hunter)
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[Introduced January 10, 2008; referred to the Committee on the
Judiciary; and then to the Committee on Finance.]
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A BILL to amend the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, by
adding thereto a new section, designated §62-13-8, relating to
the creation of a State Criminal Justice Policy Council.
Be it enacted by the Legislature of West Virginia:
That the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, be amended
by adding thereto a new section, designated §62-13-8, [SECTION, ARTICLE, CHAPTER][BE AMENDED AND REENACTED]to read as
follows:
ARTICLE 13. CORRECTIONS MANAGEMENT.
§62-13-8. Creation of a State Criminal Justice Policy Council.
It is the intent of the Legislature to create an independent
agency which shall be known as the State Criminal Justice Policy
Council, whose purpose shall be to identify critical problems in
the criminal justice system, monitor efforts for reform, and
monitor policy and funding changes to the system. The main goals
of the council will be to develop a means to promote a more
effective and cohesive state criminal justice system, identify
critical problems in the criminal justice system, recommend strategies to solve those problems, advise and assist the
Legislature in developing plans, programs, and proposed legislation
for improving the effectiveness of the criminal justice system.
The council will consist of representatives who will be appointed
by the Governor and/or the director of each of the following areas:
(1) The Governor's Office;
(2) Military Affairs and Public Safety;
(3) Judicial and Legislative Branches;
(4) Law Enforcement;
(5) Prosecuting attorney; and
(6) Department of Health and Human Resources including at
least one representative from Behavioral Health.
The responsibilities of the council will be as follows:
Oversee the operation of criminal justice information systems
and insure their integrity.
Build on the goals and intentions of the community
corrections, mental health courts, drug courts, and substance abuse
treatment programs.
Work with agencies to ensure the integrity of the criminal
justice system.
Exercise its prescribed powers, duties and functions
independently.
Advise agencies of their responsibilities when a potential
violation has occurred.
Follow up on all possible violations reported.
Serve in an advisory capacity to the Governor and the Division of Corrections on issues related to the development and deployment
of information management systems that facilitate the rapid
exchange or accurate information between the various components of
the criminal justice community.
Work with the Governor, the Justice System, and the Division
of Corrections to facilitate funding for needed programs and
innovations for dealing with substance abuse crimes including DUI
and related offenses.
Assist the Governor and the Legislature in policy development.
Evaluate criminal justice programs and assist agencies in the
evaluation of programs directed at reducing recidivism particularly
in crimes involving substance abuse.
NOTE: The purpose of this bill is to establish a State
Criminal Justice Policy Council.
This section is new; therefore, strike-throughs and
underscoring have been omitted.
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