The proposed bill aims to establish a surcharge on inmate phone calls to help cover the costs associated with security needs related to inmate communications. The General Assembly has found that the Secretary of the Department of Corrections is authorized to implement this surcharge, which will be used to offset expenses for security measures. Additionally, county sheriffs overseeing county jails are also permitted to assess a similar surcharge. The bill outlines that the funds collected from these surcharges will be specifically allocated for security-related expenses and that the Board of Corrections will set guidelines for their use.

Furthermore, the bill amends existing laws to specify the maximum allowable costs for inmate calls, ensuring they do not exceed the rates set by the Federal Communications Commission. It mandates that the Department of Corrections and county sheriffs determine the surcharge amounts in consultation with relevant state bodies and with the Governor's approval. The collected surcharges will be deposited into designated funds, either the Division of Correction Nontax Revenue Receipts Fund or the county sheriff's communications facility and equipment fund, depending on the source of the surcharge.

Statutes affected:
HB 1953: 12-27-128, 12-29-119, 12-41-105