The bill H. 3559 aims to amend Section 24-3-40 of the South Carolina Code of Laws, which governs the disposition of wages for prisoners allowed to work. The key change proposed is that prisoners who earn less than the federally established minimum wage will not have the cost of their room and board deducted from their wages. Instead, this portion of their wages will be made available to them for purchasing incidentals during their incarceration, in addition to the existing allocation for such purchases.

Specifically, the bill stipulates that if a prisoner does not have child support obligations, the 25% of their wages that would typically go towards room and board will instead be allocated for their personal use. This adjustment is intended to provide financial relief to low-wage prisoners, allowing them greater access to funds for 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