(a) Short Title:

This Act may be cited as the “ReverseBus Elevation Center Alternative Sentencing Act.”

(b) Purpose:

The purpose of this Act is to provide individuals experiencing homelessness who have committed low-level, non-violent crimes with an alternative to incarceration through rehabilitative and supportive services. The Act establishes the ReverseBus Elevation Center (REC) as a designated facility where eligible individuals may serve their sentences and receive holistic support aimed at breaking the cycle of homelessness and recidivism.

For purposes of this Act:

(a) “ReverseBus Elevation Center (REC)” refers to a campus providing housing, mental health services, substance abuse treatment, job training, and supportive services for individuals experiencing homelessness.

(b) “Low-level, non-violent crimes” refers to offenses classified as misdemeanors or infractions under Indiana law, which do not involve the use of violence, threat of violence, or significant property damage. These include, but are not limited to, trespassing, petty theft, loitering, disorderly conduct, or public intoxication.

(c) “Homelessness” shall have the meaning assigned by the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), including individuals without a fixed, regular, and adequate nighttime residence.

(d) “Participant” refers to an individual eligible for and enrolled in the REC Alternative Sentencing Program in lieu of traditional incarceration.

(a) Program Creation:

The Indiana Department of Correction (IDOC), in conjunction with the Indiana Office of Public Health & Safety and the reversebus foundation inc., shall establish the ReverseBus Elevation Center Alternative Sentencing Program (“the Program”).

The Program will allow eligible individuals experiencing homelessness who have committed low-level, non-violent crimes to serve their sentences through participation in rehabilitative and supportive services at the ReverseBus Elevation Center (REC) rather than being incarcerated in a state or county correctional facility.

(a) Eligibility Criteria:

To be eligible for the Program, an individual must:

1. 1. Be identified as experiencing homelessness at the time of their sentencing.
   2. Be convicted of a low-level, non-violent crime as defined under Section 2(b).
   3. Be sentenced to a term of imprisonment not exceeding 12 months.
   4. Voluntarily consent to participate in the Program and comply with all terms and conditions set forth by REC.
   5. Be deemed appropriate for participation in the Program based on an evaluation by the sentencing court and in consultation with social services professionals.

(b) Referral and Sentencing:

Judicial Discretion:

• • Judges in Indiana courts may exercise discretion to refer eligible individuals to the REC Alternative Sentencing Program as part of their sentencing.

Pre-Sentencing Report:

• • A pre-sentencing report assessing the individual’s housing status, mental health, and readiness for rehabilitation must be submitted to the court by social services.

Consent:

• • Participation in the Program shall require the written consent of the individual and acknowledgment of the terms of participation.

(a) Residential Services at REC:

Participants will reside at the REC for the duration of their sentence, where they will have access to:

1. 1. Safe, stable accommodation.
   2. Comprehensive mental health services.
   3. Substance abuse treatment, where applicable.
   4. Job training and vocational programs.
   5. Life skills education, including financial literacy, conflict resolution, and health education.
   6. Case management services to assist in securing long-term housing and employment upon completion of the Program.

(b) Restorative Justice and Community Service:

• Participants will be required to participate in restorative justice activities, including community service projects, to fulfill part of their sentence. This may include cleaning public spaces, assisting in homeless shelters, or other community-based efforts.

(c) Monitoring and Compliance:

• Participants must adhere to the rules and regulations of the REC. Any non-compliance or breach of the terms, including failure to attend required programs or disruptive behavior, may result in removal from the Program and reassignment to traditional incarceration.
• Case managers will monitor the progress of participants and report to the court on their compliance, progress, and readiness for reintegration.

(a) Sentence Duration:

• The duration of participation in the Program will mirror the length of the jail term imposed by the court. However, participants will serve this term within the REC under the alternative sentencing structure.

(b) Completion and Release:

• Upon successful completion of the Program, participants shall be considered as having served their sentence and will be released from custody. They will receive post-release support, including housing placement assistance and employment search services, to facilitate their reintegration into society.

(c) Failure to Complete:

• If a participant fails to complete the Program due to non-compliance, they may be returned to court and required to serve the remainder of their sentence in traditional incarceration.

(a) Funding:

• The Program shall be funded through a combination of state appropriations, reallocated funds from the Indiana Department of Correction (due to reduced incarceration costs), and grants from public and private sources aimed at reducing recidivism and homelessness.

(b) Collaboration with Nonprofit Organizations:

• The State shall collaborate with nonprofit organizations, including the reversebus foundation inc., to manage and operate the REC and provide ongoing support services.
• Additional support may be sought from federal programs designed to reduce homelessness and support rehabilitation.

(a) Annual Reporting:

The Indiana Department of Correction shall submit an annual report to the Indiana General Assembly detailing the Program’s progress, including:

1. 1. The number of participants served.
   2. Recidivism rates among participants.
   3. Housing and employment outcomes post-program.
   4. Cost savings achieved through the reduction of incarceration.

(b) Independent Review:

An independent review panel shall assess the effectiveness of the Program and make recommendations for improvement, which will be included in the annual report.

If any provision of this Act or its application to any person or circumstance is held invalid, the remainder of the Act, including the application of such provision to other persons or circumstances, shall not be affected thereby, and to this end, the provisions of this Act are severable.

This Act shall take effect on April 1, 2025, following its passage and signing into law.

This Act shall remain in effect until April 1, 2030, at which time it will be subject to review and reauthorization by the Indiana General Assembly.