75-52,164.  Evidence-based programs account of the state general fund. (a) There is hereby established in the state treasury the evidence-based programs account of the state general fund, which shall be administered by the department of corrections. All expenditures from the evidence-based programs account of the state general fund shall be for the development and implementation of evidence-based community programs and practices for juvenile offenders, juveniles experiencing mental health crisis and their families by community supervision offices, including, but not limited to, juvenile intake and assessment, court services, community corrections and juvenile crisis intervention centers. All expenditures from the evidence-based programs account of the state general fund shall be made in accordance with appropriation acts upon warrants of the director of accounts and reports issued pursuant to vouchers approved by the secretary of corrections or the secretary's designee.

(b) At least annually, throughout the year, the secretary of corrections shall determine and certify to the director of accounts and reports the amount in each account of the state general fund of a state agency that has been determined by the secretary to be actual or projected cost savings as a result of cost avoidance resulting from decreased reliance on incarceration in the juvenile correctional facility and placement in youth residential centers. The baseline shall be calculated on the cost of incarceration and placement in fiscal year 2015.

(c) Upon receipt of a certification pursuant to subsection (b), the director of accounts and reports shall transfer the amount certified pursuant to subsection (b) from each account of the state general fund of a state agency that has been determined by the secretary of corrections to be actual or projected cost savings to the evidence-based programs account of the state general fund.

(d) Prioritization of evidence-based programs account of the state general fund moneys will be given to regions that demonstrate a high rate of out-of-home placement of juvenile offenders per capita that have few existing community-based alternatives.

(e) During fiscal years 2017 and 2018, the secretary of corrections shall transfer an amount not to exceed $8,000,000 from appropriated department of corrections moneys from the state general fund or any available special revenue fund or funds that are budgeted for the purposes of facilitating the development and implementation of new community placements in conjunction with the reduction in out-of-home placements.

(f) The evidence-based programs account of the state general fund and any other moneys transferred pursuant to this section shall be used for the purposes set forth in this section and for no other governmental purposes. It is the intent of the legislature that the funds and the moneys deposited in this fund shall remain intact and inviolate for the purposes set forth in this section.

History: L. 2016, ch. 46, § 13; L. 2017, ch. 90, § 15; L. 2018, ch. 107, § 7; July 1.