Committee hears testimony on bill to expand state oversight of private detention facilities

Substitute House Bill 1232 would expand state oversight of privately operated detention facilities by amending the definition to include any detention facility operated by a non‑governmental entity under contract with a federal, state or local government, regardless of whether it is run for profit. Corey Patton, staff to the Community Safety Committee, told the House Appropriations Committee the bill modifies four categories of regulation: operational standards, inspections, civil penalties, and exemptions.

The bill would require the Department of Health (DOH) to adopt minimum standards for physical environment, services, equipment and policies at private detention facilities and to make specified inspection information available online. Patton said the bill also authorizes DOH to inspect facilities at any time “to determine whether they have failed or refused to comply with applicable state or federal law.” The bill expands civil‑penalty authority so DOH may impose conditions or assess fines of up…