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From: RGPPC
Re: Best Practices: Creating Safer Communities
Date: December 2013

Public Safety is an essential part of life for all Americans. Each state has its own economic realities, but
public safety is integral no matter where one calls home. Many cities have seen renewals in part because
of innovative public safety and criminal justice reforms. Governors are on the front lines in keeping their
citizens safethe briefing highlights several innovative policy developments proposed by Republican
Governors across the country.

Featured states and programs in this briefing include:
2013
o GEORGIA Governor Nathan Deal, Reforming Georgias Juvenile Justice System,
Criminal Justice Reform
o IDAHO Governor Butch Otter, Justice Reinvestment
o INDIANA Governor Mike Pence, Criminal Code Restructuring Bill, Grants to Improve
School Safety
o IOWA Governor Terry Branstad, Expansion of DNA Collection
o LOUISIANA Governor Bobby Jindal, 2013 Public Safety Successes
o NEW JERSEY Governor Chris Christie, Consolidation of Police Services
o OKLAHOMA Governor Mary Fallin, Improving School Safety
o SOUTH DAKOTA Governor Dennis Daugaard, South Dakota Public Safety
Improvement Act
o TENNESEE Governor Bill Haslam, Residential Recovery Court, Gang-Enhanced
Sentencing Bill
2012
o GEORGIA Governor Nathan Deal, Sentencing Reform
o IOWA Governor Terry Branstad, Legislation Tightening Controls on Dangerous
Synthetic Drugs
o LOUISIANA Governor Bobby Jindal, Sentencing Reform Legislation, Previous Public
Safety Reforms
o MICHIGAN Governor Rick Snyder, Secure Cities Partnership, Fire and First Responders
Advisory Council, Increased Patrols
o NEVADA Governor Brian Sandoval, Driver Privilege Cards
o NEW JERSEY Governor Chris Christie, Drug Court Law
o OHIO Governor John Kasich, Human Trafficking Bill, Drug Trafficking Effort, Other
Public Safety Initiatives
o OKLAHOMA Governor Mary Fallin, Statewide Public Safety Plan
o PENNSYLVANIA Governor Tom Corbett, Justice Reinvestment Initiative
o TENNESSEE Governor Bill Haslam, Comprehensive Public Safety Strategy, Statewide
Anti-Meth Campaign, Outlawing of Synthetic Drugs
2011
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o ALASKA Governor Sean Parnell, Child Abuse, Exploitation Bill
o ALABAMA Governor Robert Bentley, AL Verify, Tornado Recovery Action Council
o GEORGIA Governor Nathan Deal, Special Council on Criminal Justice Reforms
o IDAHO Governor Butch Otter, Idaho Meth Use Down
o INDIANA Governor Mitch Daniels, Creation of Indiana Department of Child Services
o IOWA Governor Terry Branstad, Felony Reform
o LOUISIANA Governor Bobby Jindal, Louisiana Sentencing Commission, Laws to
Protect Children and the Elderly
o NORTH DAKOTA Governor Jack Dalrymple, North Dakota SAVIN
o OHIO Governor John Kasich, Comprehensive Criminal Justice Reform, Human
Trafficking Task Force Recommendations
o SOUTH CAROLINA Governor Nikki Haley, Illegal Immigration Legislation
o TEXAS Governor Rick Perry, Juvenile Justice Reform
o VIRGINIA Governor Bob McDonnell, Safety and Violence Prevention PSA Challenge,
Statewide Crackdown to Reduce Alcohol-Related Incidents

































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2013

Georgia, Governor Nathan Deal
Press Release: Deal signs bill to improve Georgias Juvenile Justice System (5/2/13)
Gov. Nathan Deal signed into law House Bill 242. The legislation designates $5 million to create a
voluntary grant program that gives communities incentives to offer judges more non-confinement
sentencing options. These could include substance abuse treatment or family counseling and are proven to
better reduce recidivism for low-risk offenders. HB 242 will also allow judges to take into account both
the severity of the offense and the risk of the individual when deciding the fate of juveniles, focus more
time and resources on high-risk and dangerous offenders, and measure risk and results properly to keep as
many juveniles as possible out of detention centers and prisons.

Press Release: Deal signs second edition of criminal justice reform (4/25/13)
Governor Deal signed a second round of criminal justice reforms to implement smart on crime policies
that save tax dollars and promote public safety. HB 349, which contains recommendations from the
Special Council on Criminal Justice Reform, is follow-up legislation to HB 1176, the criminal justice
reform act of 2012. HB 349 restores judicial discretion by allowing a departure from mandatory
sentences in special cases. Judges now have more flexibility in sentencing low level drug offenders.

Idaho, Governor Butch Otter
Press Release: Governor Otter announces launch of public safety initiative (6/18/13)
Governor Butch Otter joined other State leaders in kicking off an effort to reduce the growth of Idahos
prison population using Justice Reinvestment a comprehensive, data-driven approach to developing
and implementing new policies to control spending and improve public safety. The Council of State
Governments (CSG) Justice Center has helped states across the country apply this approach, including
West Virginia, Pennsylvania, Texas and Kansas. The initiative is made possible by a partnership with The
Pew Charitable Trusts and the U.S. Department of Justices Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA).

This effort follows the 2013 creation by the Legislature of an interim committee to address the states
growing inmate population and rising corrections costs. The ten-member committee will submit a report
on its findings for review during the 2014 legislative session. To support the committees work, State
leaders also established a bipartisan, inter-branch Justice Reinvestment Working Group. It includes 22
representatives from the executive, legislative, and judicial branches of government, in addition to key
criminal justice stakeholders.

Indiana, Governor Mike Pence
Press Release: Governor Pence Signs Criminal Code Restructuring Bill (5/6/2013)
HEA 1006 strengthens the penalties for B and C felonies, computer crimes, sex crimes and hazing. It also
gives more authority to the judiciary to work with law enforcement officials. HEA 1482 outlines
conditions for giving certain criminal offenders a fresh start, allowing for some criminal records to be
expunged after a certain period of time if they avoid reoffending.

Press Release: Governor Pence Announces More Than $9 Million in Grants to Help Schools Improve
Safety (11/1/13)
Governor Mike Pence provided more than $9 million in grant funding to local schools and school
corporations through the Secured School Safety Grant Program. The program is a dedicated state grant
fund that provides matching grants to school corporations, charter schools, or coalitions of school
corporations and/or charter schools applying jointly to: employ a school resource officer (SRO), conduct
a threat assessment, and purchase equipment to restrict access to the school or expedite the notification of
first responders. School corporations, charter schools, or coalitions with an average daily membership
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(ADM) of at least 1,000 students applied for grants up to $50,000 per year. Eligible entities with an ADM
of less than 1,000 students applied for grants of up to $35,000 per year.

Iowa, Governor Terry Branstad
Press Release: Iowa authorities to expand collection of criminals DNA (May 15, 2013)
On May 15, Governor Terry Branstad signed into law a bill that requires certain aggravated
misdemeanants to submit a DNA sample beginning July 1, 2013. Governor Branstad told reporters
Justice is a balance and I believe that DNA is a valuable tool that can help us both convict people that
have committed dangerous crimes and also exonerate people that have been convicted of crimes they
didnt commit.

Previous law requires persons with a deferred judgment or conviction for a felony as well as sexually
violent predators and sex offenders to submit a DNA sample for profiling. HF 527 expands that to
include people convicted of aggravated misdemeanors including assaults, thefts and multiple drunken
driving convictions. There are exemptions for cases involving deferred judgment or juveniles and
misdemeanors related to gambling, hazardous waste, agricultural productions and other offenses.

Louisiana, Governor Bobby Jindal
Press Release: Governor Jindal Highlights 2013 Public Safety Successes (6/6/13)
HB 442: Promoted treatment instead of incarceration for those offenders whose crimes are caused
by addiction:
o Created an Administrative Substance Abuse Probation Program run by the Louisiana
Department of Corrections and authorized DOC to contract with 3rd party providers in
the community for treatment services. The bill required judges to suspend a sentence and
place an offender on probation with treatment as a condition of probation for certain
offenders meeting a series of eligibility criteria and was modeled after Louisianas highly
successful Drug Court Program.
o Incentivized first or second nonviolent, non-sex offense offenders currently incarcerated
for possession or possession with intent to distribute, who have served at least two years
and whose release date is in one year, to successfully complete a 90 day chemical
dependency program by authorizing the Secretary of DOC to grant early conditional
release to intense parole supervision.
o Removed two restrictions to Eligibility for Drug Court Program: that the crime charged
cannot be multiple counts of distribution, possession with intent to distribute, production,
manufacture and that the offender cannot have been previously convicted of aggravated
burglary or simple burglary of an inhabited dwelling place.
HB 145: Specified that out of state sex offenders given lifetime registration status registering in
Louisiana are subject to 4 in person periodic renewal periods, which brings them in line with the
requirements for in-state offenders.
HB 167: Authorized post-secondary institutions to require a full criminal background check that
includes not only conviction records but also arrests for sex offenses and violent offenses.
SB 107: Creates a structural outline for a transition to an integrated case management system that
will allow for proactive treatment of youth who are involved in both the child welfare and
juvenile justice systems (crossover youth). An integrated case management system will build
on the Coordinated System of Care (CSOC) created in 2011 for youth with severe mental illness
by completing the continuum of care for non-secure, secure and child welfare populations. This
will improve outcomes, reduce costs and focus on proactive instead of reactive intervention.
SB 135: Requires increased reporting standards to the National Instant Criminal Background
Check System (NICS) database. This legislation will help keep weapons out of the hands of
criminals and the mentally ill while maintaining confidentiality of individuals mental health
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records. Increased reporting standards will include individuals who are ineligible to purchase
firearms based on their involuntary commitment to an inpatient mental facility, found not guilty
by reason of insanity, found not competent to stand trial or convicted of a violent crime. This
legislation also establishes a mechanism that allows an individual whose mental illness diagnosis
has been reversed to regain their right to possess a firearm through a petition to the court.

Press: Louisiana Senate approves bill to ban sex offenders from Facebook, other sites

New Jersey, Governor Chris Christie
Office of the Governor: Increasing the Effectiveness and Efficiency of Urban Policing Through
Consolidation (05/01/13)
Governor Christies leadership was instrumental in the consolidation of police services in Camden, New
Jersey, creating efficiencies in government that are saving taxpayer dollars and improving public safety.
In 2011, the City of Camden, recognized as one of the most dangerous cities in America, suffered one of
the most deadly years in its history. That same year, the City was also forced to lay off more than 150
police officers because there was simply no way the City could afford to pay them. Governor Christie
pressed for an innovative solution through consolidation of services, and with the Governors guidance
and support, in 2013, the County of Camden created a new police department. By recognizing
efficiencies, this new department will provide better public safety to the City and other towns within the
County than each could provide for itself individually. The County department now polices the City of
Camden with more than 400 officers. (When the City dissolved its police department, there were less
than 200 active officers on the streets.) Remarkably, the new County department is able to provide
services to the City for roughly the same cost as the old City department. Efficiency in government
through shared services and consolidation of redundant costs provides more bang for the taxpayer dollar.

Oklahoma, Governor Mary Fallin
Press Release: Improving Public Safety and Protecting Oklahomas Children (6/24/13)
Governor Fallin signed legislation into law this year that address key public safety issues, such as
comprehensive school safety reform.
SB 256: Requires schools to administer two additional emergency drills per school year. In
addition, SB 256 requires principals, under the direction of their superintendent, to conform to
written plans and procedures adopted by the district to protect students against tornadoes, severe
weather, natural disasters and other potential emergencies.
SB 257: Creates the Oklahoma School Security Institute division within the Oklahoma Office of
Homeland Security. The Institute is to act as the central contact repository for public and private
elementary and secondary schools for information on resources to enhance school security and
assess risks to school campuses. The FY 14 budget provides $522,000 to fund the institute.

South Dakota, Governor Dennis Daugaard
Office of the Governor: Working Together to Improve Public Safety (01/15/13)
In his 2013 State of the State Address, Governor Daugaard proposed widespread criminal justice reform
to reduce South Dakotas corrections costs and try to reduce excessive punishment to nonviolent
offenders. With cooperation from all three branches of state government, SB 70, the South Dakota Public
Safety Improvement Act was passed in February 2013. The law strengthens criminal supervision, holds
offenders more accountable, controls corrections spending, focuses prison space on violent and career
criminals, and ensures the quality and sustainability of effective reforms.

Tennessee, Governor Bill Haslam
Press Release: Nations First State-wide Residential Recovery Court Set to Open in Northeast Tennessee
(07/22/13)
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On August 1, the Tennessee Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services and the
Tennessee Department of Correction opened a new facility for nonviolent inmates with addiction
problems. The Recovery Court will house up to 100 inmates and provide them with effective treatments
programs aimed at reducing recidivism. This will not only save room in prisons for violent offenders, it
will also save the state money. Prison costs the state an average of $65 per prisoner pre day, while the
Recovery Court will cost an average of $35 per prisoner per day.
Press: New program to address drug crimes
For addicts, new Recovery Court in Morgan County offers second chance

Press Release: Haslam Signs Gang-Enhanced Sentencing Bill in Memphis (6/26/2013)
Haslam signed legislation that rewrites and simplifies the Criminal Gang Enhancement statute by
clarifying the definition of criminal gang offense and creating a list of specific offenses considered
criminal gang offenses. [BT1]

2012
Georgia, Governor Nathan Deal
Press Release: Deal signs criminal justice reform (05/02/12)
In May 2012, Gov. Nathan Deal signed into law historic reforms in the states criminal justice system.
HB 1176 revolutionizes how Georgia punishes nonviolent crimes by seeking alternative treatments where
possible and preserving expensive prison beds for offenders who pose a danger to society.

This legislation was based on the recommendations of the bipartisan, inter-branch Special Council on
Criminal Justice Reform for Georgians (the Council), which was created by the legislature in the 2011
session. The legislation will avert all the projected growth in prison population and costs during the next
five years, saving taxpayers an estimated $264 million. Further, the Council recommended reinvesting a
portion of these averted costs into proven practices that improve public safety and hold offenders
accountable. Governor Deals budget proposes such investments, including: $10 million for
accountability courts and $5.7 million for new Residential Substance Abuse Treatment (RSAT) centers to
expand access to programming and reduce the backlog of offenders in local jails.
Iowa, Governor Terry Branstad
Press Release: Governor Branstad Signs Bill Tightening Controls on Dangerous Synthetic Drugs
(05/25/2012)
Governor Branstad signed into law Senate File 2343, a bill to update Iowas list of controlled substances.
The measure expands the States ban on synthetic drugs, sometimes sold as incense or bath salts under
names such as Spice and Ivory Wave, to apply to many more variations. The bill signed today outlaws a
total of 43 specific synthetic drug compounds, plus five broader classes of synthetic drugs as Schedule I
Controlled Substances. That compares with eight such compounds now controlled federally, and
previously by Iowa law. Manufacturing, selling, or possessing synthetic drugs with the intent to deliver
are aggravated misdemeanors, subject to a penalty of up to two years in prison and a $6,250 fine.
Possession of synthetic drugs is a serious misdemeanor, subject to a penalty of up to one year in jail and a
$1,875 fine.

Press Release: Gov. Branstad to sign Kadyns Law Friday at Northwood Elementary School (03/15/12)
On March 16, 2012, Gov. Terry Branstad signed Kadyns Law at Northwood Elementary School, the
school which Kadyn Halverson attended. The bill has been dubbed Kadyns Law by Kadyns family
and friends who have lobbied legislators for tougher penalties on those who illegally pass stopped school
buses. Kadyn Halverson was killed in May of 2011 after a driver illegally passed a stopped school bus.
The bill passed both the Iowa House and Iowa Senate unanimously.

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Louisiana, Governor Bobby Jindal
Press Release: Governor Jindal Signs Sentencing Reform Legislation (6/12/2012)
Governor Bobby Jindal signed HB 518, a bill which merges the Pardon and Parole Boards and their
duties. This new law eliminates duplicative positions and salaries to create savings, and will allow the
Louisiana Department of Corrections to continue to pursue its re-entry programming and its work of
reintegrating nonviolent offenders back into society.

Additional sentencing reforms already signed into law by Governor Jindal include:
HB 521 (05/31/12)
o This legislation expands the re-entry courts initiative into the 19th and 22nd judicial
districts. Expanding re-entry courts will reduce recidivism rates and allow Louisiana to
prioritize critical resources on keeping high-risk offenders off the streets.
HB 512 (05/17/12)
o This bill ensures the effective use of the administrative sanctions that were enacted last
year and enables probation and parole officers to quickly punish offenders under their
supervision for violations of the conditions of their probation. Specifically, this bill
provides that the form used to record the offender's admission to the violation and the
administrative sanction proceeding will be considered hearsay in any future proceeding.
HB 432 (05/14/12)
o A bill that repeals the costly and under-utilized risk review panels, an extra layer of
bureaucracy in the clemency process. Between 2001 and 2009, the risk review panels
cost the department over $110,000 per year. By reducing this administrative burden, the
departments resources can be concentrated on other more productive programs.
HB 1026 (05/17/12)
o The legislation allows second time non-violent, non-sex offense, non-habitual offenders
who have proven to be model prisoners to become parole eligible after serving 33 percent
of their sentences. This bill only grants the offender a hearing before the Parole Board,
and does not guarantee they will be released from prison.
HB 1068 (05/17/12)
o Increases prosecutorial discretion so that district attorneys can tailor appropriate
punishments as necessitated by the circumstances of the crime for non-violent, non-sex
offense offenders. This new law allows district attorneys to enter into plea agreements
with defendants to specify that the defendants sentence can be served with the benefit of
parole, probation or suspension of sentence or have a reduced fine or term of
confinement.
HB 994 (05/11/11)
o This bill simplifies the calculation of diminution of sentence, or good time, that non-
violent, non-sex offense offenders can earn while they are in jail. Revising the
calculation will allow all parties to know exactly when an offender could be released
from jail. This law revises the calculation so that good time is earned at the rate of 1.5
days for every 1 day in jail.

Previous year highlights: Public Safety and Sentencing Reforms 2008-2010
2008
SB 517 authorized a presiding judge to sentence a sex offender to lifetime registration for any sex
offense and required a sentence of lifetime registration for multiple offenses.
SB 510 increased the minimum sentence for computer-aided solicitation of a minor from one year
to a two-year minimum when the victim is between the ages of 13 and 16; and a ten-year
minimum when the victim is 12 years old or younger.
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HB 770 prohibited sex predators from texting children by prohibiting the use of text messaging to
persuade, induce, or entice a minor to engage or participate in sexual conduct.
SB 514 increased the minimum sentence for molestation of a juvenile from a one-year minimum
to a five-year minimum when the victim is between the ages of 13 and 17.

2009
Added penalties when sex offenders refuse or fail to submit to mandatory electronic monitoring.
Required teachers to self-disclose instances or investigations of sexual misconduct when applying
for employment and created penalties for failing to do so. :
Created new crime that prohibits sexual contact between educators and students up to age 21, but
not including colleges, clarified which types of facilities are included in the existing 1,000-
square-foot radius law for sex offenders, and added playgrounds, public swimming pools, or free
standing video arcade facilities to areas where sexual offenders are prohibited from establishing
residence when convicted of a crime against a victim thirteen-years-old or younger under certain
aggravating circumstances.
Strengthened restrictions on convicted child sex offenders ability to volunteer for activities
involving children:
Prohibited persons convicted of a sex offense with a child under the age of 13 from owning a day
care facility or participating in the board of one.
Created criminal penalties for child-care providers who knowingly employ sex offenders or
knowingly grant them access to the facility.
Prohibited electronic communication between school employees and students for any purpose
unrelated to educational services and created consequences for employees who violate these
policies, including termination.
Added the crime of molestation of a juvenile involving an educator to the existing molestation of
a juvenile statute and gave prosecutors the option to prosecute and/or sentence with enhanced
penalties in cases where the molestation of a juvenile involved an educator.
Created the crime of unauthorized use of a wireless router system for the purpose of downloading
uploading or selling pornography involving juveniles.
HB 444 limits the scope of discovery prior to administrative hearings for drivers license
suspensions for those arrested for DWI in order to streamline the process for bringing DWI
offenders to justice.
HB 445 increases the period of drivers license suspension penalties for refusing to submit to a
Breathalyzer exam from 180 days to one year on the first offense and increase from 18 months
to two years on the second offense.
SB 166 makes driving without a license that has been suspended due to a DWI arrest or
conviction in and of itself a criminal offense with mandatory jail time. This provides real
penalties for those drivers who continue to drive even after their license has already been
suspended due to a DWI.

2010
Gave prosecutors additional options for charging individuals with distribution and production of
pornography, which will carry higher sentences of 5 to 10 years for distribution and 10 to 20
years for production.
Created an additional sentence option of 7-10 years for those who initiate sexual crimes against a
minor through a computer.
Created administrative subpoena authority for certain law enforcement officials to more
effectively obtain electronic information about sex offenders.
Created a Habitual Sexual Offender law to increase the sentences for habitual offenders:
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If an offender is charged under the proposed habitual sex offender law after conviction of a first
and second felony sex offense, the offender can be punished by no less than two-thirds of the
longest possible sentence for conviction of the second felony and up to three times the longest
possible sentence. If the sex offenses are committed against children under age 13, the habitual
offender may face a lifetime sentence.
Suspended an offenders drivers license for two years after their conviction of third degree
feticide killing of an unborn child.
Required that a code be placed on the driver's licenses of individuals who are required to have an
ignition interlock device installed on their vehicle as a condition of drivers license reinstatement
and specified that premature removal of an interlock device from a vehicle or failure to renew an
interlock contract prior to the end of a persons prescribed interlock sentence will result in an
administrative suspension of a drivers license
Required school bus drivers to report DWI-related arrests within 24 hours of receipt or prior to
their next shift, whichever time is shorter and created consequences for failing to do so, including
termination.
This law specifies that failure of a school bus driver to report his/her DWI arrest within 24 hours
or prior to his/her next shift (whichever is shorter) shall result in termination by the governing
authority if the operator is serving a probationary term under tenure law or if the provisions of
tenure law are not applicable. If tenure is applicable, violation of this statute will trigger a tenure
hearing.
Restructured the way that proceeds from seizure and sale of vehicles for 3rd and 4th DWI
offenses are distributed:
Created a new crime for solicitation of a person under the age of 17 to become a member of a
criminal street gang

Michigan, Governor Rick Snyder
Office of the Governor: Governor says 'smart justice' is key to safe communities, economic growth
(3/7/2012)
Highlights:
Secure Cities Partnership - The governor unveiled his Secure Cities Partnership initiative to
support law enforcement efforts in Flint, Detroit, Pontiac, and Saginaw, along with the roadways
connecting them. The Michigan State Police is providing local assistance and coordinates teams
of local, state, and federal law enforcement officers to direct patrols and provide investigative
resources.
Fire and First Responders - Recognizing the critical role that firefighters and first responders have
in public safety, Governor Snyder has formed an advisory council that will recommend better
ways to provide better emergency services statewide with a long-term, sustainable cost model.
Increased Patrols - To best accomplish these goals, Governor Snyder made it a priority to provide
the necessary funding to add up to 180 new Michigan State Troopers to the force by the fall of
2013. In March 2013, 90 new officers from the 124th Trooper Recruit School have been assigned
to posts throughout the state. In addition to these new officers, the 125th Trooper Recruit School
kicked off in May 2013, with the arrival of 80 new prospective troopers to the new MSP Training
Academy in Lansing. This new addition of outstanding men and women will enhance law
enforcement efforts throughout the state, especially in the areas that the governor emphasized as
priorities for reducing crimes and making the communities safer.

Nevada, Governor Brian Sandoval
Legislation: Senate Bill 303 (05/31/13)
Governor Sandoval signed SB 303 to create driver privilege cards requiring applicants to pass a driving
test and understand traffic laws. In addition, this legislation requires those who successfully obtain a
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drivers privilege card to have insurance. The cards will improve safety and generate revenue for the
highway fund.
Press: ID for non-citizen drivers approved by Nevada lawmakers (05/28/13)

New Jersey, Governor Chris Christie
Press Release: Governor Chris Christie Follows Through on Commitment to Reclaim Lives with
Landmark, Bipartisan Mandatory Drug Court Law (07/19/12)
Governor Christie firmly believes that no life is disposable. Accordingly, legislation has been enacted to
help individuals charged with drug crimes (or whose crimes were the result of drug use) reclaim their
lives with treatment, rather than warehousing them in prison. The FY 2013 and FY 2014 budgets provide
increasing levels of funding for drug court treatment services.

The legislation, S-881, acted on the principles laid out by Governor Christie in his 2012 State of the State
Address that no life is disposable and that it is a commonsense, fiscal, and moral imperative to help
individuals dealing with drug addiction.

In addition, the legislation provides for:
o Increased identification of eligible drug addicted nonviolent offenders. As part of this effort,
information on drug addiction and treatment would be required to be given to those charged
with second and third drug degree offenses.
o Court ordered clinical assessment to determine suitability for drug court. Pre-sentencing
reports would be required to include information regarding drug addiction and
recommendations regarding whether an assessment should be ordered for a defendant.
o Courts to make a finding regarding addiction for any offender having a clinical assessment. If
offenders are found to be drug addicted, meeting present drug court eligibility factors and are
prison bound, then those offenders would be sentenced to the drug court program regardless
of their desire to enter the program.
o Judges to be given ultimate discretion in determining whether an individual poses a threat to
society and should not be sent to a drug treatment facility as part of his or her sentencing.

Ohio, Governor John Kasich
Press Release: Kasich Sign Human Trafficking Bill into Law (06/27/12)
In June 2012, Governor John Kasich signed into law one of the toughest pieces of legislation in the
country to combat human trafficking. Putting a stop to the disgusting operation of Human Trafficking and
ensuring victims of human trafficking received treatment and services, was a priority for Governor Kasich
and his administration. H.B.262 The Ohio Human Trafficking Act of 2012uses a three-pronged
approach to address the problem of human trafficking. H.B. 262 raised the penalty for committing the
crime of human trafficking to a first-degree felony with a mandatory minimum sentence of 10-15 years.
This penalty matches the federal statute and allows Ohio to effectively prosecute traffickers. The law
created a diversion program whereby juvenile victims of human trafficking will receive the protection and
treatment they need through the juvenile justice system. The law allows for victims of human trafficking
with prior convictions of prostitution or solicitation to have their records expunged and provides them
with a civil recourse.

AP: New Ohio Highway Patrol effort targets drug trafficking (02/25/12)
In February 2012, Governor Kasich launched a statewide effort to increase the effort to fight drug
trafficking in Ohio. A new #677 hotline number was created to allow people to provide information to
law enforcement about criminal activity.

Press Release: Kasich Signs Thirteen Bills into Law (06/26/12)
Senate Bill 305-Hidden Automobile Compartments
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This bill assists the law enforcement community in combating drug trafficking within Ohios boarders.
This legislation prohibits the designing, building, constructing, fabricating, modifying, or altering a
vehicle to create or add a hidden compartment with the intent to facilitate the unlawful concealment or
transportation of a controlled substance, prohibit operating, possessing, or using a vehicle with a hidden
compartment with knowledge that the hidden compartment is used or intended to be used to facilitate the
unlawful concealment or transportation of a controlled substance. The legislation creates new and higher
penalties toward drug traffickers who go to extraordinary lengths to conceal their contraband.

Senate Bill 337, Collateral Sanctions Bill
The cutting-edge piece of legislation will effectively reduce crime in Ohio, decrease offender recidivism,
increase public safety, strengthen families, and expand job opportunities for the estimated two million
Ohioans with a felony or misdemeanor conviction. The legislation, addresses those collateral
consequences that exist beyond the direct sentence resulting from a crime.
The bill deals with certain licensing provisions from prohibiting a person with a felony or misdemeanor
conviction to work in fields such as construction and cosmetology. The legislation also reforms certain
driving license suspensions not directly related to moving violations that are currently in statute. The bill
reforms the sealing of adult and juvenile records. The legislation prohibits courts to charge a fee when a
youth applies to have their record sealed along with a number of other juvenile justice reforms.
Press: Kasich signs legislation to reform collateral sanctions
Oklahoma, Governor Mary Fallin
Press Release: Gov. Fallin Signs Statewide Public Safety Plan into Law (05/10/12)
On May 10, 2012, the statewide public safety plan developed through Oklahomas Justice Reinvestment
Initiative was signed into law by Governor Mary Fallin. HB 3052 establishes a grant program to fund
crime reduction initiatives by local law enforcement agencies, requires at least nine months of post-
release supervision of all felons, establishes risk, mental health and substance abuse assessments and
evaluations prior to sentencing for those found guilty of a felony, and allows probation officers to utilize
intermediate sanctions for noncompliance with supervision conditions.

Pennsylvania, Governor Tom Corbett
Press Release: Governor Corbett Highlights Goals of Justice Reinvestment Initiative (06/18/12)
In 2011 Governor Tom Corbett launched the Justice Reinvestment Initiative, a data-driven approach to
reduce corrections spending and generate savings to reinvest in strategies that increase public safety. As a
result, the Pennsylvania General Assembly unanimously passed two critical pieces of legislation, Senate
Bill 100 (Act 122 ) signed by Governor Corbett on July 5, 2012) and HB 135 (passed on October 16,
2012).

Both Act 122 and HB 135 round out the working groups public safety proposals to increase criminal
justice system effectiveness and reinvest savings back into the community to strengthen law enforcement
as well as to deter and reduce crime and recidivism. Act 122 focuses on correctional reform which will
generate significant and immediate savings, while House Bill 135 provides a vehicle to reinvest those
savings to support local law enforcement, victim services, county probation and parole, and other
evidence-based programs and services that work to reduce crime.

Tennessee, Governor Bill Haslam
Press Release: Haslam Unveils Comprehensive Public Safety Strategy (01/05/12)
In January 2012, Tennessee Gov. Bill Haslam announced a comprehensive, multi-year action plan
designed to improve public safety statewide. The Governors Public Safety Subcabinet Working Group,
which includes commissioners and representatives from 11 state agencies, submitted the plan after
months of meetings with more than 300 public safety professionals and stakeholders across the state. The
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three goals of the public safety action plan are to significantly reduce drug abuse and drug trafficking;
curb violent crime; and lower the rate of repeat offenders.

Press Release: Haslam Announces Statewide Anti-Meth Campaign (04/04/12)
The Meth Stops Now campaign is an action step in the Haslam administrations public safety action
plan and specifically addresses the portion of the anti-meth law that increases the penalties for making or
using meth in the presence of children and for purchasing pseudoephedrine products for non-medical
uses.
Created by the Tombras Group, the anti-meth campaign is funded by the Department of Finance and
Administrations Office of Criminal Justice Programs through a grant from the U.S. Department of
Justices Bureau of Justice Assistance, Office of Justice Programs, and by the Consumer Healthcare
Products Association. It includes radio public service announcements, billboards, gas pump
advertisements, in-store signage, informational pharmacy bag fliers, a website
(www.methstopsnow.com), and bumper stickers for law enforcement vehicles.

Press Release: Governor signs bill outlawing synthetic drugs (05/14/12)
In May 2012, Gov. Bill Haslam signed legislation outlawing synthetic drugs, resulting in felony jail time
and fines up to $5,000 for synthetic drug sellers and makers.


2011

Alaska, Governor Sean Parnell
Press Release: Governor Signs Child Abuse, Exploitation Bill (06/23/11)
Governor Parnell signed House Bill 127, a bill the Governor introduced which increases the penalties for
child abuse and child exploitation. HB 127 was part of Governor Parnells Choose Respect and Safe
Homes, Strong Families Initiatives. House Bill 127:
Raises the penalties for online enticement of a minor for repeat offenders from a class B felony to
a class A felony;
Creates a new crime of sending explicit images of a minor;
Clarifies that a person who commits the crime of online enticement of a minor or sending an
explicit image of a minor can be prosecuted in Alaska if the victim is located in Alaska,
regardless of the offenders location;
Updates stalking statutes to include the use of global positioning systems (GPS) or installation of
a device to observe, record, or photograph events occurring within the victims office, home, or
automobile; and
Prohibits a peace officer from engaging in sexual acts with a person in the officers custody or
apparent custody, or in the custody of a law enforcement agency.

Alabama, Governor Robert Bentley
Press Release: Governor Bentley Announces Creation of ALVerify (09/26/11)
On September 26, Governor Robert Bentley announced the availability of a new web-based system that
enables county license plate issuing officials and their staffs to meet the residency verification
requirements set out in Alabamas new immigration law in processing motor vehicle registration and title
transactions. The system links the agencies motor vehicle and driver license databases into an electronic
application that can be securely and easily accessed to check citizenship verification.
Press: Gov. Robert Bentley to Announce Plans for Online Verification for License Plate Renewals
Press Release: Governor Bentley Announces Creation of Tornado Recovery Action Council (8/29/11)
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Gov. Robert Bentley announced the appointment of 19 community, corporate and non-profit leaders from
across the state to the newly formed Tornado Recovery Action Council of Alabama (TRAC). TRAC will
insight from residents, business leaders, non-profit groups and state agencies in order to form
collaborative solutions for a stronger, more prepared Alabama. The council will develop a report that will
document the tornado outbreak on April 27, 2011 and make strategic recommendations for the future.
Additional articles on the Governors tornado recovery efforts:
Governor Bentley Establishes Governors Emergency Relief Fund (5/1/11)
Governor Bentley Announces Creation of Alabama Forest Recovery Task Force (5/12/11)
Tornado Recovery Action Council Community Forums Announced (9/9/11)
Governor Bentley Goes to Nations Capital to Secure Fair Funding for Tornado Recovery
(9/12/12)
Governor Bentley Awards $15.7 Million for Tornado Disaster Relief (12/19/12)

Georgia, Governor Nathan Deal
Press Release: Deal enacts criminal justice reform council: Governor Signs legislation in Hall County
drug court where his son is presiding judge (04/22/11)
In April 2011, Gov. Nathan Deal signed HB 265, a bill to create the Special Council on Criminal Justice
Reform for Georgians. The focus of the council is to rehabilitate offenders and save taxpayers money.
Press: Criminal Justice Reform Panel Named

Idaho, Governor Butch Otter
Press Release: New CDC Data: Idaho Meth Use Among Teens Down 52 Percent (06/15/10)
A survey released by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) provided fresh evidence that
Idahos efforts to combat methamphetamine are working. The National Youth Risk Behavior Survey
(YRBS) showed that between 2007 and 2009 there was a change of less than 10 percent in the rate of
meth use among U.S. teens (4.4 percent to 4.1 percent). By comparison, use among Idaho teens declined
by 52 percent during the same period, from 6.4 percent in 2007 (significantly above the national average)
to 3.1 percent in 2009, below the national average. According to the YRBS, Idaho saw the largest decline
in teen meth use of any state over the past two years.

Indiana, Governor Mitch Daniels
IDCS: Indiana Department of Child Services
As one of his first acts as Governor, Governor Mitch Daniels created the Indiana Department of Child
Services (DCS), a new stand-alone agency focused solely on administering Indianas child welfare and
child support functions. The Danielss Administration worked with the General Assembly to direct the
hiring of 800 new Family Case Managers doubling the previous number during a difficult budget
session. During this time the qualifications for new caseworkers was modified and a 12-week mandatory
training program was implemented to ensure new staff were better prepared to serve the children and
families they met. Indiana also implemented a new child welfare practice model that changed the manner
in which caseworkers interacted with families. Child and Family Team meetings were held to help
families address their individual issues and needs, with the safety and well-being of the children the
primary focus.
Update: From National Leader in Child Deaths to National Leader in Child Services (06/06/13)

Iowa, Governor Terry Branstad
Executive Order: Executive Order 70 (01/14/11)
Governor Branstad signed Executive Order 70, which ending automatic restoration of felon voting rights
and requiring felons who have lost their voting rights to pay their debt to society, including restitution,
before their voting rights are restored by the Governor. This is critically important for victims of crime.

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Bill: House File 493 (04/26/11)
Governor Branstad signed into law HF 493, which requires public employees charged with a felony, to
pay a civil penalty equal to the cash wages received during a paid leave of absence and any contract
termination payments if convicted.

Louisiana, Governor Bobby Jindal
Press Release: Gov. Jindal Signs Louisiana Sentencing Commission Bills into Law (7/2/11)
Governor Bobby Jindal announced he signed five Louisiana Sentencing Commission bills into law, which
will reform and improve the states criminal justice system. Below is a summary of the legislation:
SB 202
o Enhanced pardon and parole process to aid in effective decision making by adding the
warden or deputy warden of the institution in which an offender is housed as an ex officio
member of the Pardon Board when that offender applies for clemency, requiring the
members to complete additional training, and authorizing the Department of Corrections
to establish a validated risk and needs assessment tool.
HB 106
o Created Home Incarceration reporting requirements so that the sentencing court, the
sheriff of the parish in which the offender is placed on supervision and the Department of
Corrections will be notified of the courts order and will now be able to track their use.
HB 414
o Consolidated the statutes pertaining to good time, or diminution of sentence for good
behavior and participation in vocational and educational programs
HB 415
o Created administrative sanctions to allow probation and parole officers to punish
probationers and parolees with administrative sanctions for technical violations of their
supervision conditions. This will reduce recidivism and ensure better compliance with
supervision conditions through quicker responses to technical violations.
HB 416
o Will allow first-time non-violent, non-sex offense, non-habitual offenders to become
eligible for parole consideration at a quicker rate. This legislation will produce savings to
the criminal justice system over the next decade that will be reinvested into probation and
parole supervision and evidence-based programs aimed at further reducing the states
recidivism rates and decreasing the offender population.

Press Release: Gov. Jindal Highlights New Laws to Protect Children and Elderly (7/13/11)
Governor Bobby Jindal stood with law enforcement officials to highlight six new laws that were part of
the Governors 2011 Legislative Package and will help crack down on sex offenders, locate missing
children and protect the disabled and elderly. Summaries include:
HB 55 (06/14/11)
o Prohibits certain sex offenders from using or accessing social networking websites, chat
rooms and peer-to-peer networks.
HB 86 (06/20/11)
o Amends the sexual battery, second-degree sexual battery, oral sexual battery and
molestation of a juvenile statutes to enhance the penalty for committing these crimes
against such vulnerable victims, and establishes a new penalty of 25-99 years at hard
labor for committing one of these crimes on these individuals. .
HB 49 (06/20/11)
o Cracks down on human trafficking. This legislation will enable the equal punishment of a
person who knowingly help, aides or abets a human trafficker with the current
punishment for the human trafficker. Also, this legislation expands the type of actions
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that put a criminal under the human trafficking statutes, including the advertisement of a
child for sexual purposes.
HB 131 (06/20/11)
o Works to ensure sex offenders comply with their registration requirements. This
legislation makes it a violation of a sex offenders registration requirements if they fail to
get a drivers license or identification card with sex offender labeled on it, are in
possession of identification that is altered with the intent to defraud or if they are in
possession of counterfeit identification.
HB 12 (07/13/11)
o Criminalizes fake bath salts and synthetic marijuana.
HB 94 (06/20/11)
o Transfers the Missing and Exploited Children Information Clearinghouse from the
Department of Children and Family Services to the State Police, providing real-time,
twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week, coordination between the National Crime
Information Center and the Missing and Exploited Children Information database. This
will help assist child crime victims, including those who are victims of human trafficking.
Press: Louisiana Senate approves bill to ban sex offenders from Facebook, other sites

North Dakota, Governor Jack Dalrymple
North Dakota CJIS: North Dakota SAVIN
North Dakota has developed ND SAVIN (North Dakota Statewide Automated Victim Information and
Notification), allowing free 24/7 access to notifications and information regarding offender status
information. The program was created through a contract with a private company with North Dakotas
Criminal Justice Information Saving (CJIS) Program. The system gathers information from courts,
county jails, the ND Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, law enforcement and the Office of the
Attorney General. Offender status information is also integrated with the CJIS Portal and can be
exchanged statewide.

Ohio, Governor John Kasich
Press Release: Kasich Signs Comprehensive Criminal Justice Reform Legislation (06/29/11)
In June 2011, Governor Kasich signed legislation overhauling Ohios criminal justice system. This
legislation created sentencing reforms to make Ohios communities safer by putting first-time, non-
violent offenders in more fitting corrections environments with the goal of preventing them from
becoming career criminals, lowering recidivism rates, reducing prison overcrowding, and ultimately
changing the lives of many Ohioans for the better. On the heels of this legislation, Senate Bill 337-
Collateral Sanctions Bill was signed by the Governor in June 2012.
Press Release: Ohio Human Trafficking Task Force Submits Recommendations to Kasich (06/27/11)
In March 2012, Governor John Kasich signed Executive Order 2012-06K which established the Ohio
Human Trafficking Task Force. The task force was formed to marshal the resources of the state of Ohio
to coordinate efforts to identify and rescue victims, to create a coordinated law enforcement system to
investigate these crimes, and to provide the services and treatment necessary for victims to regain control
of their lives. Eleven state agencies are members of the task force and worked to identify service gaps and
make recommendations for filling those gaps. The task force sought to complement the work already
being done to fight human trafficking around Ohio. On June 27, 2012, the task force presented Gov.
Kasich with twenty-six recommendations.

South Carolina, Governor Nikki Haley
Press Release: Gov. Nikki Haley signs illegal immigration reform bill (6/27/13)
In June 2011, Governor Nikki Haley signed into law S 20, an illegal immigration reform bill. Upon
signing, Governor Haley stressed that, South Carolina is a tolerant state, but its also a law-abiding
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state. The bill requires police in South Carolina to check suspects' legal status and mandates that all
businesses check their hires through e-verify. The bill also requires officers to call federal immigration
officials if they suspect someone is in the country illegally. The question must follow an arrest or traffic
stop for something else. The measure bars officers from holding someone on that suspicion.

Texas, Governor Rick Perry
Community Justice Network for Youth: Texas Under Rick Perry Makes Strides in Juvenile Justice
Reform, say Advocates (08/29/11)
Following allegations of abuse and neglect by its administrators, Governor Rick Perry placed the Texas
Youth Council under conservatorship, leading to the closing of ineffective detention facilities and the
transfer of juvenile justice funds back to individual counties, where the rehabilitation programs could be
tailor to each communitys individual needs.

Virginia, Governor Bob McDonnell
Press Release: Governor McDonnell Announces Safety and Violence Prevention PSA Challenge
(01/31/11)
Under the leadership of Governor Bob McDonnell, the Governor's Office for Substance Abuse Prevention
hosted the College Campus Safety and Violence Prevention Public Service Announcement Challenge,
asking college students in the Commonwealth to create public service announcements communicating
various issues affecting both public and private Virginia universities.

Press Release: Governor McDonnell Launches Statewide Crackdown to Reduce Alcohol-Related
Incidents (09/02/11)
In 2011, Virginia hosted its 10
th
annual Check Strikeforce Campaign. The campaign, which includes an
increase in sobriety checkpoints and an increased police patrol presence, has fostered a 32% decrease in
alcohol-related traffic injuries since the programs introduction in 2002. The program is part of the
National Highway Traffic Safety Administrations Regional Campaign and which also includes the
District of Columbia, Maryland, Delaware, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia.