Committee advances bill allowing inmate-welfare funds for reentry programs and facility repairs

Representative Johnson told the committee CSHB 913 updates Florida statutes to authorize expanded uses of the contractor‑operated Inmate Welfare Trust Fund, including funding for inmate reentry programs, environmental health improvements and essential repairs to contract‑operated facilities. He said the brick‑and‑mortar buildings are owned by the state of Florida even when operations are run by private contractors and that the bill allows trust funds to be used to maintain those state assets.

Representative Hart Lohman questioned whether trust funds would be used to repair facilities operated by private contractors and whether the buildings are state‑owned. Johnson replied that the physical facilities are state property, explaining the bill permits repairs to the state's asset even when a private vendor provides day‑to‑day inmate care.

An amendment (barcode 812893) was offered and explained by the sponsor; the sponsor said a separate provision addressing off‑site inmate health care was removed to keep the remainder of the bill viable. The amendment was adopted without objection and public testimony was recorded in support (Catherine Shea, Florida Department of Corrections, listed as waiting in support).

Members speaking in debate, including Hart Lohman and Representative Rosenwald, praised the bill's focus on reentry and said they regretted removal of some treatment provisions but committed to pursuing those issues in future legislation. Representative Johnson closed by noting that statutory responsibility for incarcerated persons' health care places a duty on the state to maintain facilities and to fund repairs when necessary.

The clerk called the roll. The committee reported CSHB 913 favorably as amended with a roll‑call tally of 24 yays, 0 nays. The bill will advance from committee.