The bill amends G.L. 127, Sections 1A and 1B, to clarify the roles of the Commissioner of Correction and the Sheriffs in the bi-annual inspection of county correctional facilities. The Commissioner is responsible for conducting inspections to identify compliance deficiencies with the standards set forth in CMR 900.00 through 999.00 and for providing recommendations for improvements. Meanwhile, the Sheriffs are tasked with implementing and monitoring these standards to ensure the safety and security of the facilities for both staff and inmates.

Additionally, the bill introduces a structured audit process categorized into Compliance, Non-compliance, Non-applicable, and Not assessed, with each category audited in a rotating annual cycle. This process includes an initial audit followed by a follow-up audit six months later to assess corrective actions taken. In instances of non-compliance, Sheriffs or facility administrators are required to submit a written response to the Commissioner within 60 days, outlining their action plan and target completion dates for addressing the identified deficiencies.