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Committee hears testimony on bill to make inmate phone and electronic communications free
Summary
Senate Bill 5231, the "Connecting Families" proposal, would require free voice communications for people confined in state facilities, prohibit commissions and fees and require provision and replacement of free tablets and accessories; the committee heard staff briefings, fiscal estimates and multiple public testimonies in support.
Senate Bill 5231 would require the Department of Corrections and the Department of Children, Youth and Families to provide free voice communication services and would prohibit commissions and transaction fees on communications services, staff told the Senate Human Services Committee. Kelsey Ann Fung, staff to the committee, briefed the proposed substitute and its key provisions.
The bill's sponsor, Senator Drew Hansen (23rd Legislative District), described the measure as the "Connecting Families Act" and said it "will make it free for people in prison to stay in touch with their families." He and witnesses framed the proposal as a public-safety and reentry measure that removes financial barriers to family contact.
Staff explained the bill's main provisions: require DOC and DCYF to provide free voice communications and free tablets and necessary accessory devices (chargers, headphones,…
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