Section 5139.14. Reentry services by nonprofit faith-based organizations

(A)

(1) The department of youth services shall permit representatives of all nonprofit faith-based, business, professional, civic, educational, and community organizations that are registered with the department to enter institutions that are under the department's control and management for the purpose of providing reentry services to delinquent children in the department's custody. Reentry services may include, but are not limited to, counseling, housing, job-placement, and money-management assistance.

(2) The department shall adopt rules pursuant to Chapter 119. of the Revised Code for the screening and registration of nonprofit faith-based, business, professional, civic, educational, and community organizations that apply to provide reentry services to delinquent children in institutions under the department's control and management.

(B)

(1) The department shall post a department telephone number on the department's official internet web site that nonprofit faith-based, business, professional, civic, educational, and community organizations that wish to provide reentry services to delinquent children may call to obtain information. The internet web site also shall list all of the faith-based, business, professional, civic, educational, and community organizations that are registered with the department under this section.

(2) The department shall actively recruit nonprofit faith-based, business, professional, civic, educational, and community organizations to provide reentry services in institutions under the department's control and management. The department shall recruit nonprofit organizations from all faiths and beliefs.

(C) Annually, the department shall issue a written report on the department's progress in implementing the recommendations of the correctional faith-based initiatives task force. The department shall provide a copy of the written report to each member of the correctional institution inspection committee created under section 103.71 of the Revised Code.

(D) The department shall not endorse or sponsor any faith-based reentry program or endorse any specific religious message. The department may not require any child in its custody to participate in a faith-based program.

Effective Date: 2008 HB113 06-25-2008