The bill H.294 aims to enhance the rights and welfare of incarcerated individuals in Vermont by ensuring they have access to communication services and fair compensation for their labor. It mandates that all communication services, including telephone and other forms of communication, be provided at no expense to inmates. The bill also requires the Department of Corrections to evaluate its contracts with Global Tel Link Corporation and the Keefe Group to ensure that prices for services are not excessively higher than those in the community. Additionally, it introduces a new section regarding commissary services, stipulating that prices should not exceed fair market value by more than 10 percent.

Furthermore, the bill amends existing provisions regarding inmate labor compensation, establishing that offenders must be paid at least the federal minimum wage, with specific guidelines for wage deductions to support dependents and other expenses. The Commissioner of Corrections is tasked with updating policies related to inmate wages by January 1, 2026, to align with these new requirements. The act is set to take effect on July 1, 2025.

Statutes affected:
As Introduced: 28-802a, 28-751b