Bill > H483

This bill proposes to allow county commissioners and sheriffs to create a schedule of fees and charge inmates in their custody for certain services, with a daily custodial care fee of up to $5, and fees of up to $5 for medical or dental sick call visits, prescription eyeglasses, and up to $3 per pharmacy prescription. The bill specifies that inmates will have a process to appeal these fees, and certain essential services like emergency care, hospitalization, prenatal care, and chronic disease management will be exempt from fees. Importantly, no inmate will be denied medical or dental care due to inability to pay, and any unpaid fees for indigent inmates will be charged to their account and remain due after release, with the debt forgiven if the inmate is not re-incarcerated within two years. This provision will not apply to federal inmates, detainees, or those in regional lock-ups, and the commissioner and sheriffs will establish rules for its implementation.