This bill amends the Code of West Virginia, specifically section 15A-3-16, to mandate that the state police are responsible for covering the costs associated with the incarceration of inmates they arrest until those inmates are either convicted or released. The bill introduces new language stating that "in cases in which the inmate was arrested by the state police, the state police shall pay the jail bill until the conviction or release of the incarcerated inmate." Additionally, it modifies existing language regarding the use of funds for jail operations, allowing for shared staff and operational expenses in facilities that serve both as prisons and jails.

The bill also clarifies the financial responsibilities of counties and municipalities regarding inmate incarceration costs. It specifies that counties are responsible for costs incurred for housing pretrial inmates and convicted misdemeanants, while the division will bear the costs for felony convictions starting the day after the conviction. Furthermore, it outlines the per diem costs for inmate incarceration and establishes a structured payment system based on the number of inmate days per county, with adjustments to the per diem rate occurring annually. Overall, the bill aims to streamline the financial responsibilities related to inmate incarceration and ensure that the state police bear the costs for their arrests.

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