The proposed bill, Substitute Bill No. 476, aims to enhance visitation policies within the Department of Correction and establish guidelines for the disbursement of funds held in trust for individuals who have been incarcerated. Key changes include the requirement for the Commissioner of Correction to allow individuals in correctional facilities to have a minimum of three in-person visits per week, replacing the previous prohibition on using communication services to replace in-person visits. Additionally, the bill mandates that the Commissioner provide free voice communication services, supplemented by other communication methods, ensuring that each incarcerated individual has access to at least ninety minutes of communication daily.

Furthermore, the bill introduces a new provision requiring the Department of Correction to disburse any remaining balance in an individual's Inmate Trust Fund account upon their release. This disbursement can be made in cash, check, or a prepaid device, with the stipulation that individuals must also be offered alternative options for receiving their funds. If the department is unable to disburse funds at the time of release due to insufficient notice, it must obtain a mailing address and send the funds via mail within two weeks. Importantly, any prepaid devices issued must not incur fees for the formerly incarcerated individuals. The bill is set to take effect on October 1, 2026, for visitation policies and July 1, 2026, for the disbursement provisions.

Statutes affected:
Raised Bill: 18-81oo
JUD Joint Favorable Substitute: 18-81oo
File No. 590: 18-81oo
APP Joint Favorable: 18-81oo