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33 <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 />