Florida Senate - 2023 SB 572



By Senator Powell





24-00819-23 2023572__
1 A bill to be entitled
2 An act relating to the treatment of inmates; creating
3 s. 944.092, F.S.; specifying certain rights of inmates
4 in the correctional system; requiring that a written
5 copy of the rights be provided to each inmate;
6 authorizing inmates to file grievances with the
7 Department of Corrections if certain rights are denied
8 them; providing an effective date.
9
10 Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Florida:
11
12 Section 1. Section 944.092, Florida Statutes, is created to
13 read:
14 944.092 Basic rights of inmates.—
15 (1) RIGHTS.—Each inmate in the correctional system has the
16 right to:
17 (a) Proper ventilation.—All housing units must have air
18 conditioning systems or air cooling systems; however, housing
19 units in use on or before July 1, 2023, which cannot be fitted
20 for air conditioning or air cooling systems shall receive
21 exhaust fans and air circulators sufficient to provide a safe
22 and healthful environment for inmates.
23 (b) Sufficient meal time.—Inmates must receive at least 20
24 minutes to eat each meal. The minimum time shall be extended to
25 the amount necessary for an inmate to complete the meal if the
26 inmate receives an approved medical reason for an extension.
27 (c) Adequate food supply in case of emergency.—Each
28 correctional institution shall establish a program with one or
29 more community food banks located near the institution to ensure
30 an adequate food supply is made available to the inmate
31 population if conditions exist that prevent regular food supply
32 services due to an event such as a natural disaster or other
33 emergency.
34 (d) Necessary health supplies.—The department must provide:
35 1. Necessary personal protective equipment for medical
36 staff at all times and for all staff and inmates during health
37 crises or during cleaning.
38 2. Necessary health products for inmates, including, but
39 not limited to, sanitary napkins, tampons, soap, and toothpaste,
40 upon request of the inmates.
41 (e) Medical care.—The department must provide inmates with
42 adequate medical care for their medical needs.
43 (2) NOTICE.—The department shall provide a written copy of
44 the rights established in this section to each inmate upon his
45 or her entry into the correctional system.
46 (3) GRIEVANCES.—An inmate may file a grievance with the
47 department if the inmate believes a right guaranteed in this
48 section is being denied by a state correctional institution.
49 Section 2. This act shall take effect July 1, 2023.