The bill H. 3559 seeks to amend Section 24-3-40 of the South Carolina Code of Laws, which governs the disposition of wages earned by prisoners allowed to work. The key change proposed is that prisoners who earn less than the federally established minimum wage and do not have child support obligations will not have 25% of their wages deducted to cover room and board costs. Instead, this amount will be made available to the inmate for purchasing incidentals during their incarceration, in addition to the existing 10% allocated for the same purpose.

Additionally, the bill specifies that for prisoners participating in the prison industries program who meet the criteria of earning below the minimum wage and lacking child support obligations, the funds that would typically go towards room and board will instead enhance their available spending money. This amendment aims to provide more financial autonomy to low-wage inmates, allowing them to better manage their personal needs while incarcerated. The bill will take effect upon approval by the Governor.

Statutes affected:
12/05/2024: 24-3-40
Latest Version: 24-3-40