This bill amends the Code of West Virginia to clarify the financial responsibilities of counties regarding the costs associated with the incarceration of inmates in jails under the jurisdiction of the Division of Corrections and Rehabilitation. Specifically, it limits a county's financial responsibility for costs related to inmates who are incarcerated for felony convictions and awaiting transportation to a state correctional facility for a 60-day evaluation period to a maximum of 30 days from the date of incarceration. Additionally, the bill includes provisions for the management and use of special revenue funds for jail operations, ensuring that these funds are utilized appropriately and that counties are only charged for actual days of incarceration beyond the first 24 hours.

The bill also outlines the structure for determining per diem costs for inmate housing, establishing a base rate and a system for adjusting costs based on operational expenses. It specifies that counties will pay a reduced rate for the first 80% of their pro rata share of total billed inmate days, with increased rates for exceeding that share. Furthermore, it mandates that the Division of Corrections and Rehabilitation provide transparency by posting relevant financial information on its website. Overall, the bill aims to streamline the financial obligations of counties while ensuring that jail operations are adequately funded.

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