House Bill No. by Representative Bacala amends R.S. 15:824(B)(1)(a) to increase the per diem rate paid by the Department of Public Safety and Corrections (DPS&C) for housing state inmates in parish jails or institutions. The bill establishes a tiered payment structure, starting with $25.39 per day for Fiscal Year 2019-2020, increasing to $26.39 for Fiscal Year 2020-2021 through Fiscal Year 2026-2027, and finally to $29.39 per day beginning in Fiscal Year 2027-2028. This adjustment aims to ensure that sheriffs and governing authorities are adequately compensated for the costs associated with housing state inmates.

Additionally, the bill stipulates that the daily sum shall be paid from the date of sentencing until the individual is confined in a penal or correctional institution under the supervision of the department. It also mandates that the DPS&C collaborate with sheriffs to amend basic jail guidelines by December 31, 2020, to include treatment and educational programming for individuals confined in parish jails. The bill will take effect upon the governor's signature or after the expiration of the time for bills to become law without signature.

Statutes affected:
HB143 Original: 15:824(B)(1)