Bill > HB1953

This bill provides for a surcharge on inmate phone and video calls to help offset the costs of security needs associated with inmate communications. The bill authorizes the Department of Corrections and county sheriffs to assess a surcharge on these calls, with the specific amount to be determined by the Chief Fiscal Officer of the State after consultation with Arkansas Legislative Audit and relevant parties, and subject to gubernatorial approval. For state facilities, the surcharge will be collected by the communication service vendor and deposited into the Division of Correction Nontax Revenue Receipts Fund, while for county jails, the surcharge will be credited to the county sheriff's communications facility and equipment fund. The bill also limits the cost per minute of inmate intrastate calls to the maximum rate for interstate calls as determined by the Federal Communications Commission as of January 1, 2021, and restricts ancillary service charges. The Board of Corrections will set guidelines for how the collected funds can be used, with the primary intent being to cover security-related expenses for inmate communication systems.

Justice

https://arkleg.state.ar.us/Bills/Detail?id=hb1953&ddBienniumSession=2025%2F2025R