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2023 Session

Budget Amendments - SB800 (Floor Approved)

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Lower the Cost of Communication for Inmates

Item 404 #2s

Item 404 #2s

First Year - FY2023 Second Year - FY2024
Public Safety and Homeland Security
Department of Corrections FY2023 $0 FY2024 $5,000,000 GF

Language
Page 490, line 55, strike "$193,277,270" and insert "$198,277,270".

Page 494, after line 25 insert:

"U. Included in the appropriation for this Item is $5,000,000 the second year from the general fund to support low-cost communication systems for inmates and individuals in the community with whom they communicate. Notwithstanding Senate Bill 1274, this amount shall be used to provide telephone call minutes, video visitation minutes, and secure email messages that are free of charge to the person intiating and receiving the communication. The Department may base the level of free minutes on inmates' behavior. As the Department procures a new communications vendor, the Department shall consider options that would lower the costs of communication for inmates, those they communicate with, and the Department, including exploring the use of a payment structure that is based on a fixed cost for the communications infrastructure instead of based on usage charges. The Department shall also explore models that have lowered the cost of inmate communication in other states. The Department shall provide a report to the Chairs of the House Appropriations and Senate Finance and Appropriations Committees no less than 30 days before issuing a notice to award the new communications contract."



Explanation

(This amendment provides $5.0 million GF the second year to lower the cost of communication for inmates and their loved ones. Language waives the provisions of Senate Bill 1274 that would have provided unlimited free telephone calls, video visitation, and electronic messaging for inmates and instead dedicates $5.0 million to such purpose. Language directs the Department to explore options that would lower the cost of communication for inmates as they procure a new communications vendor, and to provide a report to the House Appropriations and Senate Finance and Appropriations Committees before issuing the contract.)