Smart Justice
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The National Association of Counties’ (NACo) Smart Justice efforts aim to build knowledge and capacity for successful justice policies and practices among the nation’s counties. Smart Justice projects enhance partnerships among public, private and philanthropic leaders along with national experts to promote safer communities and utilize taxpayer money more effectively and efficiently.
Projects engage county officials, national thought leaders and partners across the country by:
- Promoting evidence-based, data-driven local justice policies and practices throughout the nation’s counties;
- Taking a leadership role in exploring and implementing local justice reforms;
- Developing strategies to save counties money while creating safer communities; and
- Providing education and assistance to counties to assess their adult and juvenile systems to explore opportunities for efficient and effective use of public dollars.
HRSA Releases Final Reentry Care Guidelines Following NACo Input
On November 29, the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) released their final Policy Information Notice (PIN) with policy guidance for health centers who support transitions in care for justice-involved individuals reentering their communities.
House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee advances, House passes key bill with NACo’s support
On September 18, the U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure held a full committee markup session, voting to advance 29 measures for House floor consideration.
Congress advances Second Chance Act reauthorization
On December 4, the Senate passed the Second Chance Reauthorization Act (S.4477) by unanimous consent, a major milestone for supporting county reentry programs. NACo supports this legislation, which would reauthorize funding for Second Chance Act programs for five years.
NACo Legal Advocacy: City of Seattle et al. v. Kia/Hyundai
The question at hand in City of Seattle et al. v. Kia/Hyundai is whether or not the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard preempts state tort claims brought forth by local governments alleging that Kia and Hyundai’s failure to install “reasonable” anti-theft technology constitutes negligence and public nuisance.
NACo Legal Advocacy: Perttu v. Richards
Perttu v. Richards has implications on the Prison Litigation Reform Act (PLRA) and could increase the amount of Section 1983 inmate-initiated cases against county jails that reach federal court, ultimately resulting in counties having to expend resources on frivolous lawsuits.
CMS finalizes Medicare rule with key improvements for justice-involved populations
On November 1, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) published a final rule that, in a major advocacy win for counties, will improving access to Medicare for justice-involved individuals who are in pre-trial status or who are reentering the community.