Bill > S2858

This bill, titled "To build restorative family and community connection," aims to regulate visits in state prisons and correctional facilities by amending Section 36C of chapter 127 of the General Laws. It prohibits correctional institutions, jails, or houses of correction from prohibiting, eliminating, or unreasonably limiting in-person visitation for inmates, defining "unreasonably limit" as providing fewer than two in-person visitation opportunities within any seven-day period for eligible inmates. While electronic communication is permitted, it cannot replace in-person visits. The bill also mandates that administrators allow up to twenty individuals to be eligible to visit an incarcerated person and permit individuals to visit more than one incarcerated person, even within the same facility, unless there's a documented threat to security or facility operations, with a written explanation provided to the inmate and visitor and the right to challenge such a determination. Importantly, the bill allows for temporary suspension of visitation for good cause, such as misbehavior or genuine emergencies.

Budget and Finance

Joint Committee on Public Safety and Homeland Security (Joint)

https://malegislature.gov/Bills/194/S2858