Bill > HB397

This bill amends Ohio Revised Code section 341.25 to expand the allowable uses of profits from jail commissary funds. Currently, jail commissaries generate revenue from goods sold to incarcerated individuals, and any profits beyond operating costs can be used for specific purposes. The bill adds several new potential uses for these profits, including purchasing recreational equipment, funding education and treatment programs, paying for advanced staff training, investigating staff misconduct or contraband issues, and purchasing technology that exceeds minimum safety standards. The bill also modifies existing allowable uses, such as expanding the ability to pay for employee salaries related to the commissary and allowing funds to be used for medical and mental health service facility renovations. Specifically, the bill allows commissary profits to be used for recreation, additional programming, investigating sexual abuse within the facility, purchasing advanced safety tools, and paying for staff training that goes beyond state-mandated requirements. The changes aim to provide more flexibility for sheriffs in using commissary fund profits to support jail operations, inmate services, and facility improvements.

Government Affairs

https://www.legislature.ohio.gov/legislation/136/hb397