Permanent Housing

Permanent housing for those being released

The senate has approved a bill requiring the department of corrections to take steps to provide those released from prison or other correction programs with every opportunity to find permanent housing. It would also require registration agencies to notify local law enforcement when sex offenders indicate they are homeless or staying in a shelter. Senator lynda moss of billings, says montana prisons and mental hospitals release about 160 people a month into homelessness.

The governor's budget office estimates the legislation won't cost the state anything.

But, bill opponents argue the measure either won't do anything, or it will have a significant cost to the state. The measure passed its second reading on a vote of 29 to 21.