House Sponsors: FLOWERS. Short description: COURT OF CLAIMS-PRISONERS Synopsis of Bill as introduced: Amends the Personnel Code. Establishes a preference in entrance examinations of 10 points for a qualified person who has been wrongfully accused of a crime for which the person was imprisoned in a State prison and a court of competent jurisdiction finds that the evidence that resulted in his or her conviction was erroneous or that new evidence indicates that the person did not commit the crime. Amends the Court of Claims Act. Provides that claims against the State for time unjustly served in State prisons shall be automatically heard and payment made within 120 days after the person who unjustly served time is discharged from prison. Provides that the claim may be made if a court finds that the evidence that resulted in the person's conviction was erroneous or that new evidence indicates that the person did not commit the crime for which he or she was convicted (now only the issuance of a pardon by the Governor on the grounds of innocence may be the basis of a claim). Increases the maximum statutory awards to a person released from prison because of these factors. FISCAL NOTE (Dpt. Central Management Services) HB2498 has minimal fiscal impact on DCMS. CORRECTIONAL NOTE There will be no corrections population or fiscal impact. FISCAL NOTE, H-AM 2 (Court of Claims) Two recent awards under this statute were $140,350 each; there are 5 illegal incarceration claims pending. Ultimate costs for automatic consideration of wrongfully accused persons could run in excess of $1,000,000. Increasing maximum awards would cost between $25,000 and $60,000 for each case. HOUSE AMENDMENT NO. 2. Changes the preference in entrance examinations for persons who have been unjustly imprisoned from 10 points to 5 points. Also provides that the amount of the award for a person who has been unjustly imprisoned shall be at the discretion of the Court of Claims. Last action on Bill: SESSION SINE DIE Last action date: 99-01-12 Location: House Amendments to Bill: AMENDMENTS ADOPTED: HOUSE - 1 SENATE - 0 END OF INQUIRY Full Text Bill Status