Senate Bill 713 aims to enhance oversight of state correctional institutions and county jails by granting immediate access to legislators and certain employees of political subdivisions. Specifically, the bill stipulates that any legislator who is a member of a standing committee related to the Department of Corrections can request a tour of any state correctional institution, which must include access to residential areas, prison cells, meal areas, and discussions with inmates. Similarly, employees responsible for overseeing county jails are entitled to immediate access to any county jail under their jurisdiction or any jail with a resident inmate from their oversight area.

The bill defines "immediate access" as access with less than 24 hours' notice, with certain restrictions. Access can be denied if the request is made between 9 p.m. and 6 a.m. or if the requester has already fulfilled 12 access requests in that calendar year. In cases of denial, access must be provided during the hours of 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. or within 72 hours, respectively. This legislation seeks to ensure transparency and accountability within the correctional system by facilitating oversight through direct access to facilities.