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24 <br /> Justice & Public Safety Legislative Goals <br /> JPS-1: Seek legislation to limit the amount that providers can charge counties for inmate <br /> medical care to no more than what is allowed by the Department of Correction. <br /> Seek legislation that would authorize medical care providers to charge counties for inmate <br /> medical services at a rate not to exceed the rates paid by the State Department of Public Safety to <br /> inmate medical providers. Counties are responsible for medical costs when inmates are <br /> incarcerated in county jails, and counties often pay full, non-negotiated rates for inmate medical <br /> care, resulting in great expense to counties. State reimbursement rates have been capped in recent <br /> state budget provisions, and counties seek the same cap on inmate medical expenses to save <br /> taxpayer dollars on these costs. <br /> JPS-2: Seek legislation to expand county governments'use of 911 funds,protect and enhance <br /> current funding streams and maintain full operational flexibility and autonomy. <br /> Seek legislation to protect and enhance current e911 funding streams, as well as increase <br /> flexibility in use of those funds for the betterment of county 911 systems. Significant strides <br /> were made in 2010 to revamp 911 laws and give counties greater flexibility in utilizing 911 <br /> funds. At the same time, the 911 Board was directed to adopt a funding model and standards. <br /> Counties have expressed concern about decisions made at the Board level related to the funding <br /> model, as well as the adoption of certain standards that would have negative economic impacts <br /> on county 911 systems. <br /> JPS-3: Oppose legislation that would limit a county's ability to operate a pretrial release <br /> program. <br /> Oppose legislation that would limit counties from operating pretrial programs. Such limitations <br /> would result in increased costs to counties and put additional burdens on county jails. Counties <br /> throughout the state operate pretrial programs that help to evaluate individuals awaiting trial in <br /> county jails. These programs assist the judicial system in determining if those individuals can <br /> safely be released, saving taxpayer dollars and saving space in county jails. In addition, many <br /> pretrial programs offer needed services to individuals awaiting trial in an effort to reduce <br /> recidivism rates. <br /> JPS-4: Support legislation to fully fund the Justice Reinvestment Act of 2011. <br /> Support increased funding for the Justice Reinvestment Act Initiatives. Last session, lawmakers <br /> approved a budget that fell short of fully funding the initiatives included in the legislation. <br /> Policies in the comprehensive criminal justice bill include new tools for probation officers to <br /> hold offenders accountable, longer sentences for individuals with repeat breaking and entering <br /> offenses, and increased funding for drug treatment programs in prison and in the community. <br /> Without adequate funding, the programs will not achieve the desired goals. <br /> JPS-S: Provide greater funding of state crime labs. <br /> Support legislation to increase state funding for state crime lab operations. Court officials <br /> throughout the state have noted that North Carolina's State Crime Laboratory now has fewer <br /> resources, money and personnel than in past years. That situation greatly impacts court <br /> proceedings by causing defendants and prosecutors to often wait a year or more for results. <br /> Without a substantive increase in funding for the lab, criminal court proceedings across the state <br />