This bill amends the Code of West Virginia to require the Commissioner of the Division of Corrections and Rehabilitation to cover the jail bills for individuals incarcerated for misdemeanors. It introduces a new provision that specifies the financial responsibilities of state, county, and municipal entities based on the location of the arrest and the population of the municipality. For instance, if a state agency makes an arrest on an interstate highway, the state will pay 100% of the jail bill, while in municipalities with varying populations, the costs will be shared between the state, county, and city. Additionally, the bill outlines a system for ranking counties by income per capita, which will affect their share of the jail costs.

The bill also modifies existing language regarding the use of funds for jail operations, allowing for shared expenses in facilities that serve both as jails and prisons. It clarifies that counties will not be responsible for costs associated with housing felony convicted inmates, and it establishes a new per diem rate for the cost of incarceration, which will be adjusted annually based on operational costs. The bill aims to streamline the financial responsibilities related to misdemeanor incarcerations and ensure that the costs are fairly distributed among the relevant jurisdictions.

Statutes affected:
Introduced Version: 15A-3-16