SB 911 - Neighborhood Safety Legislation

On Thursday, April 28th, the Senate Committee on Health Care and Veteran’s Affairs held a Work Session on SB 911. Senator Starr is the Chief Sponsor on this piece of legislation and was pleased that the Committee passed the bill out of Committee with a Do Pass recommendation. It will be coming to the Senate floor for a full vote Tuesday, May 5th.

If you recall from one of our past newsletters, SB 911 relates to “persons found guilty except for insanity.” Together, SB 910 and SB 911 were a neighborhood safety package meant to address concerns by communities around the state about Secure Residential Treatment Facilities (SRTFs). There was a facility place in Cornelius, the Connell House, which housed certain criminals found guilty except for insanity. A number of complications surfaced in the surrounding neighborhoods as a result of incomplete security measures and zero communication with nearby residents. SB 911 establishes standards for security and training of staff who oversee offenders assigned to SRTFs.

Senator Starr expects the bill to be passed in the Senate without difficulty and hopes it will move quickly through the House Chamber. He introduced this bill on behalf of the 300 some Cornelius residents who were upset and frustrated by the development of the Connell house in their neighborhood without their knowing. Improving the safety of District 15 neighborhoods will always be a priority of the Starr office.