Sec. 1. 34-A MRSA §3048 is enacted to read:

§3048.__Compassionate leave

The commissioner, at the commissioner's discretion, may extend the limits of the place of confinement of a client by allowing the client, under prescribed conditions, to visit a specifically designated place, within or without the State, for a period not exceeding 15 days and return to the same or another institution or facility.__This period may be renewed at the discretion of the commissioner.__The leave may be granted only to permit a visit to a dying spouse or natural or adoptive mother, father, son, daughter, grandfather or grandmother, grandchild, brother or sister; attendance at the funeral of a spouse or natural or adoptive mother, father, son, daughter, grandfather or grandmother, grandchild, brother or sister; the obtaining of medical services not otherwise available; or the contacting of prospective employers or for a compelling reason consistent with rehabilitation.__A client who fails to return from the leave as provided under the prescribed conditions is guilty of the crime of escape.

SUMMARY

This bill allows a prisoner compassionate leave to visit a dying relative, attendance at the funeral of a relative, obtain of medical services not otherwise available or contact a prospective employer. The bill also states that if a prisoner does not return from the leave the prisoner is guilty of escape.