Bill > H2685

This bill aims to improve transparency and accountability in correctional facilities by establishing new rights for incarcerated individuals to communicate with news media representatives. The bill defines news media representatives broadly, including journalists from various media platforms, and guarantees their unimpeded, confidential access to incarcerated individuals through in-person visits, video conferencing, and telephone communications. Correctional facilities must create systems for media representatives to register and communicate with inmates, and cannot restrict these communications based on an inmate's housing placement or disciplinary status. The bill also prohibits retaliation against inmates who speak with media representatives and requires correctional facilities to update their regulations accordingly. Additionally, the bill mandates quarterly public reporting on use of force incidents in correctional facilities, including detailed data on the number and nature of incidents, breakdowns by race, injuries sustained, and types of force used. Inmates and their legal representatives are granted the right to obtain records of any use of force incident involving them within 10 business days, with the provision that personal identifying information will be redacted for public records requests. These provisions are designed to increase transparency, accountability, and oversight in the correctional system.

Justice

https://malegislature.gov/Bills/194/H2685