The bill amends the Restricted Housing Act to enhance regulations surrounding the use of solitary confinement in correctional facilities. Key changes include expanding the age limit for inmates who may be placed in restricted housing, now prohibiting those younger than twenty-one or older than fifty-five from such confinement. Additionally, pregnant inmates and those in the postpartum recovery period are also protected from being placed in restricted housing. The bill introduces new definitions, such as "meaningful human contact," and establishes limits on the duration of restricted housing, capping it at fifteen consecutive days or ninety days total within a twelve-month period.

Furthermore, the bill mandates that correctional facilities maintain transparency by producing quarterly reports detailing the demographics of inmates placed in restricted housing, including their identification, age, gender, and ethnicity. These reports must also outline the reasons for confinement and the duration of each inmate's stay in restricted housing. The legislation aims to ensure that vulnerable populations, including LGBTQ+ inmates, are not subjected to involuntary restricted housing and prohibits any policies that functionally replicate solitary confinement. Overall, the bill seeks to promote humane treatment and oversight within correctional facilities.

Statutes affected:
introduced version: 33-16-1, 33-16-2, 33-16-3, 33-16-5