Senate passes bill capping county jail phone rates to align with state prison charges

Senators on the floor passed First Substitute House Bill 219, a measure intended to reduce wide variation in county jail phone charges and ease the financial burden on families. Sponsor Sen. Karen Kitchen said the bill "directs the county jails to cap the rate for inmate phone calls at no more than 1 and a quarter of what the state prison charges," and described the measure as "family focused" to help maintain ties between inmates and their children. Kitchen told colleagues that "about 44,000 children in Utah are the children of inmates right now," and argued that lower, predictable costs can support rehabilitation and reduce recidivism.

Supporters on the floor emphasized the bill’s targeted scope. Sen. Weiler said, "This is a good bill," and indicated he would vote aye. Sen. Kitchen clarified during questions that HB219 addresses only the cost of calls and does not change facility rules on when or how inmates may use phones: "This has nothing to do with how an inmate may or may not use the phone. That obviously will be left up to their supervisor and their individual rehabilitation plan." Opponents did not press a content-related amendment; the floor exchange focused on cost transparency and consistency.

Under suspension of the rules the Senate ordered a roll-call vote. The clerk recorded "0 nay votes, 1 being absent," and the bill passed the body and will be returned to the House for the speaker’s signature. The Senate sponsor said the bill carried a $0 fiscal note and framed it as a modest change designed to reduce arbitrary disparities across counties. The measure requires county contracts to be reviewed by county attorneys rather than the state.

The next procedural step is return to the House for the speaker’s signature and enrollment for enactment.