Revises provisions relating to offenders. (BDR 16-686)

Existing law authorizes the Director of the Department of Corrections, with the approval of the Board of State Prison Commissioners, to allow offenders to participate in certain educational, civic and charitable programs deemed beneficial to the community. (NRS 209.471) Section 1.1 of this bill requires the Department, to the extent money is available, to establish vocational farm programs in such institutions or facilities operated by the Department as the Director deems practical. Section 1.1 also prescribes certain requirements applicable to any such vocational farm program. Under existing law, each offender in an institution or facility of the Department must be provided a healthful diet. (NRS 209.381) Section 1.3 of this bill authorizes the Department to contract for the services of, or accept the volunteer services of, a registered dietitian who is not employed by the Department and is not affiliated with a food service vendor that has a contract with the Department. Section 1.3 also: (1) authorizes the Department to adopt regulations concerning the roles and responsibilities of any such registered dietitian; and (2) requires those regulations to be adopted in accordance with the Nevada Administrative Procedure Act. (Chapter 233B of NRS) Section 1.7 of this bill requires the Department to issue a request for information regarding food service contracts during the 2025-2026 interim and outlines specific requirements that must be included in the request. Section 1.9 of this bill: (1) requires the Department to conduct a comprehensive 1-year study during the 2025–2026 interim to evaluate the food services provided in institutions and facilities of the Department; (2) establishes specific requirements for the study; and (3) requires the Department to publish the results of the study on the Internet website of the Department. Additionally, section 1.9 provides that if the Department renews a contract with a food service provider during the period in which the study is conducted, the term of the renewal must not exceed 2 years.