REFERENCE TITLE: prisoners; communication services; access

State of Arizona

Senate

Fifty-sixth Legislature

Second Regular Session

2024

SB 1564

Introduced by

Senators Bravo: Gabaldón, Sundareshan;  Representative Ortiz

An Act

amending title 31, chapter 2, article 2, Arizona Revised Statutes, by adding section 31-243; appropriating monies; relating to prisoners.

(TEXT OF BILL BEGINS ON NEXT PAGE)

Be it enacted by the Legislature of the State of Arizona:

Section 1. Title 31, chapter 2, article 2, Arizona Revised Statutes, is amended by adding section 31-243, to read:

START_STATUTE31-243. Prisoner communication services; access; prohibition

A. the department shall provide all prisoners with voice communication services and may supplement voice communication services with other communication services, including video communication, email or other messaging services.

B. The department may not:

1. limit a PRISONER'S access to VOICE communication services AND OTHER COMMUNICATION SERVICES and shall MAINTAIN THE SAME level of ACCESS AS THE DEPARTMENT ALLOWED before the effective date of this section.

2. RECEIVE any COMMISSIONS FROM VOICE COMMUNICATION SERVICES OR OTHER COMMUNICATION SERVICES used by PRISONErs.

C. the department may not charge Prisoners and INDIVIDUALS with whom a prisoner communicates for any communication services between each other.

D. THE DEPARTMENT SHALL MAINTAIN IN-PERSON VISITS FOR PRISONERS AND may not use other COMMUNICATION SERVICES TO REPLACE IN-PERSON VISITS. END_STATUTE

Sec. 2. Appropriation; state department of corrections; exemption

A. The sum of $_______ is appropriated from the state general fund in fiscal year 2024-2025 to the state department of corrections for the purposes of section 31-243, Arizona Revised Statutes, as added by this act.

B. The appropriation made in subsection A of this section is exempt from the provisions of section 35-190, Arizona Revised Statutes, relating to lapsing of appropriations.