Bill > SB5231

This bill addresses communication services for individuals in Washington state correctional facilities by mandating free voice communication services and establishing new regulations for telecommunications. The bill requires the Department of Corrections to provide free voice communication services through both tablets and wall phones, with no limitations beyond routine facility procedures, and prohibits the department from receiving any revenue from these services. Inmates will receive free tablets, and the department must maintain the same number of communication devices as of January 1, 2025. The bill also requires detailed public transparency about telecommunications contracts, including publishing rates, fees, service usage data, and contractor performance information. Tablets can be withheld for 90 days if deliberately damaged, and access can be revoked if used to commit a crime. The legislation defines "voice communication services" as real-time, audio-only communication and "tablets" as electronic devices enabling communication and potentially other services. Notably, the bill emphasizes that these communication services cannot replace in-person visitation. The bill will take effect on December 1, 2025, and is officially known as the "connecting families act".