Punishing criminals is only part of the judicial process. We must also make sure they pay restitution. The House is considering a package of legislation to expand the tools available to the judicial system to ensure that restitution is appropriately returned to victims. • House Bill 2382 would authorize the state to intercept convicted criminals’ state income tax returns if they owe delinquent restitution or court fees. If the criminal owes money for alimony, child support or a related obligation, that amount would be deducted first, with restitution as a second priority. • House Bill 2383 would allow voluntary automatic withdrawals from a bank account to pay restitution, costs and fines. It also would authorize involuntary wage attachment at sentencing for satisfaction of such obligations. The bill would prohibit employers from discriminating against employees as a result of an order for wage attachment. • House Bill 2384 would require each county to establish a “collections enforcement unit” or contract with a private collections agency to pursue delinquent funds. • House Bill 2385 would allow for restitution, fees, fines and costs owed by the defendant to be taken out of cash money used for bail. • House Bill 2386 would allow for an inmate’s personal accounts to be garnished up to 25 percent of wages earned in prison, as well as up to 75 percent of all deposits made into the inmate’s personal accounts. All five bills are awaiting further consideration in the House Rules Committee.
Posted on: Fri, 08 Aug 2014 15:29:28 +0000
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