§ 42-26-4. Powers and duties. The public safety grant administration office shall have the following powers and duties:

(1) Serve as the state planning agency for administration of federal criminal justice related grant programs including, but not limited to, the Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Act of 1974, as amended;

(2) Advise and assist the governor and the director of public safety in developing policies, plans, programs, and budgets for improving the coordination, administration and effectiveness of the criminal justice system in the state;

(3) Prepare a state comprehensive criminal justice plan on behalf of the governor and the director of public safety. The plan, and any substantial modifications thereto, shall be submitted to the legislature for its advisory review of the goals, priorities and policies contained therein. The plan, to be periodically updated, shall be based on an analysis of the state's criminal justice needs and problems and shall be in conformance with state and other appropriate regulations;

(4) Establish goals, priorities, and standards for the reduction of crime and the improvement of the administration of justice in the state;

(5) Recommend legislation to the governor and legislature in the criminal justice field;

(6) Encourage local comprehensive criminal justice planning efforts;

(7) Monitor and evaluate programs and projects, funded in whole or in part by the state government, aimed at reducing crime and delinquency and improving the administration of justice;

(8) Cooperate with and render technical assistance to state agencies and units of general local government, and public or private agencies relating to the criminal justice system;

(9) Apply for, contract for, receive, and expend for its purposes any appropriations or grants from the state, its political subdivisions, the federal government, or any other source, public or private, in accordance with the appropriations process;

(10) Have the authority to collect from the department of corrections and any state or local government departments and agencies, such public information, data, reports, statistics, or other material which is necessary to carry out the functions of the public safety grant administration office; and to collect from non-profit organizations which receive state or federal funds all information necessary to carry out the commission's functions;

(11) Disseminate to state agencies, units of local government, public or private agencies, and others, information such as criminal justice program advancements, research results, training events, and availability of funds;

(12) Review, no less often than annually, the administration, operation programs and activities of correctional services in the state including input from the general public and other interested persons; conduct such other reviews and studies in conjunction with the department of corrections as may be appropriate; and report findings and recommendations to the governor;

(13) Perform other duties which may be necessary to carry out the purposes of this chapter.

History of Section. (P.L. 1978, ch. 189, § 1; P.L. 1980, ch. 341, § 6; P.L. 1984, ch. 360, § 1; P.L. 2008, ch. 100, art. 9, § 12.)