Bill Text: HI SB1219 | 2023 | Regular Session | Introduced
Bill Title: Relating To Public Safety.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)
Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2023-01-27 - Referred to PSM/CPN, WAM/JDC. [SB1219 Detail]
Download: Hawaii-2023-SB1219-Introduced.html
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THE SENATE |
S.B. NO. |
1219 |
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THIRTY-SECOND LEGISLATURE, 2023 |
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STATE OF HAWAII |
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A BILL FOR AN ACT
relating to public safety.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:
SECTION 1. The legislature finds that the State should protect incarcerated persons and their loved ones from predatory commercial practices. Private corporations providing goods and services to state correctional facilities should not be allowed to charge exorbitant rates. Currently, the provision of jail and prison communication services is a lucrative industry dominated by a few corporations. The industry is constantly diversifying the array of communication services it provides, at great cost, to jails and prisons, including phone calls, video conferencing, electronic messages, and other communication services. Correctional facilities may also benefit financially from communication services contracts by receiving commissions, bonuses, and other financial incentives.
The legislature further finds that the high cost of jail and prison communication services is a significant economic drain for incarcerated persons and their families. The Ella Baker Center for Human Rights found that one in three families with an incarcerated loved one goes into debt to pay for communication services and visits. In Hawaii, these costs disproportionately impact Native Hawaiians, Pacific Islanders, and other people of color. According to the Ella Baker Center's research, eighty-seven per cent of those who go into debt for jail and prison communication services are women of color.
The legislature recognizes the importance of communication services for persons who are incarcerated. Maintaining family and community connections is key to successful reentry. Many incarcerated persons will reside with their families after release, and research has shown that incarcerated individuals who maintain ties with their support networks have higher success rates and lower recidivism rates. Regular communication between incarcerated persons and their families therefore benefits public safety.
The legislature also recognizes that many states support the provision of free communication services to jails and prisons. In 2018, New York City began offering these services at no charge in its city jails. In 2021, Connecticut became the first state to offer free communication services in its state prison system. There are now active campaigns to implement these policies statewide in Massachusetts, Michigan, New York, Virginia, and eight other states.
Accordingly, the purpose of this Act is to require and appropriate moneys for the provision of free voice communication services in the State's youth and adult correctional facilities.
SECTION 2. Chapter 352, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by adding a new section to be appropriately designated and to read as follows:
"§352- Free voice communication services. (a) Each Hawaii youth correctional
facility shall provide persons in its custody with accessible and functional
voice communication services that are free of charge to the person initiating
and person receiving the communication.
The department of public safety, or its successor agency, shall have
operational discretion so that the use of voice communication services does not
interfere with the facility's necessary operations.
(b) No
state agency shall derive any form of revenue or financial benefit from the
provision of voice communication services or any other communication services
to a person confined in a Hawaii youth correctional facility."
SECTION 3. Chapter 353, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by adding a new section to part I to be appropriately designated and to read as follows:
"§353- Free voice communication services. (a) Each correctional facility
operated by the department of public safety, or its successor agency, shall
provide persons in its custody with accessible and functional voice
communication services that are free of charge to the person initiating and
person receiving the communication. The
department of public safety, or its successor agency, shall have operational
discretion so that the use of voice communication services does not interfere
with the facility's necessary operations.
(b) No
state agency shall derive any form of revenue or financial benefit from the
provision of voice communication services or any other communication services
to a person confined in a state correctional or detention facility."
SECTION 4.
(a) The public utilities
commission shall establish service quality standards and rules, pursuant to
Chapter 91, Hawaii Revised Statutes, for free voice communication services
provided to youth and adult correctional facilities pursuant to sections 352-
and 353- , Hawaii Revised Statutes.
(b)
The commission shall submit a report of its findings and
recommendations, including any proposed legislation, to the legislature no
later than twenty days prior to the convening of the regular session of 2024.
SECTION 5. There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $ or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2023-2024 and the same sum or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2024-2025 for providing free voice communication services to incarcerated persons in the State.
The sums appropriated shall be expended by the department of public safety, or its successor agency, for the purposes of this Act.
SECTION 6. New statutory material is underscored.
SECTION 7. This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2023.
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INTRODUCED BY: |
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Report Title:
PUC;
Communication Services; Correctional Facilities; Hawaii Youth Correctional
Facilities
Description:
Requires and appropriates moneys for the provision of free voice communication services in the State's youth and adult correctional facilities. Prohibits state agencies from deriving revenue or financial benefits from the provision of communication services to persons confined in state correctional facilities. Requires the Public Utilities Commission to establish service quality standards and rules for the free voice communication services and to report to the Legislature prior to the regular session of 2024.
The summary description
of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is
not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.
