Bill > H1537

This bill proposes to amend existing law to allow the commissioner of corrections and sheriffs of various counties to establish a schedule of fees and charge inmates in their custody for certain services. These fees could include a daily custodial care fee of up to $5, a medical or dental sick call visit fee of up to $5 (excluding pre-existing conditions for medical visits), a fee of up to $5 for prescription eyeglasses, and a fee of up to $3 per pharmacy prescription. The bill also mandates that penal facilities must have a process for inmates to appeal these fees. However, certain essential services like admission health screenings, emergency care, hospitalization, prenatal care, lab work, contagious disease care, and chronic disease care would be exempt from these fees. Importantly, no inmate will be denied medical or dental care due to an inability to pay, and indigent inmates' fees will be debited from their accounts, remaining due after release unless the debt is forgiven after two years of no re-incarceration. This section would not apply to federal inmates, detainees, or those in regional lock-ups, and the commissioner and sheriffs are tasked with creating the rules for its implementation.