HB 875 -- PROBATION AND PAROLE FEES

SPONSOR:  Moore

COMMITTEE ACTION:  Voted "do pass" by the Committee on
Corrections and Public Institutions by a vote of 10 to 0.

This bill authorizes the Board of Probation and Parole to charge
offenders placed under the supervision of the board a fee of up
to $60 a month.  All fees will be deposited into the Inmate Fund
within the state treasury and may be used for community
corrections and intervention services for offenders.  The board
will adopt rules sanctioning offenders for nonpayment and
establishing, waiving, collecting, and using the fees.

FISCAL NOTE:  No impact on state funds in FY 2006, FY 2007, and
FY 2008.

PROPONENTS:  Supporters say that the moneys collected from these
monthly fees will be used for community corrections and treatment
programs.  Currently, these programs cost the state around $7
million annually; and due to budget constraints, many of these
programs are being cut.  The Department of Corrections believes
that even though the bill allows them to access up to $60 per
month, the assessments will only be about half that amount.

Testifying for the bill were Representative Moore; and Department
of Corrections.

OPPONENTS:  Those who oppose the bill say that it needs to be
more specific in regards to sanctions for those not paying their
assessments, and probationers should take a means test to
determine their ability to pay.

Testifying against the bill was Missouri Association for Social
Welfare.

Bob Dominique, Legislative Analyst

Missouri House of Representatives
93rd General Assembly, 1st Regular Session
Last Updated August 25, 2005 at 1:20 pm