AR HB1616

County sheriffs, deputy sheriffs, or trained security contractors shall transport inmates committed to the Department of Correction or Department of Community Correction and are entitled to applicable fees.

A county sheriff may notify the Department of Correction or Department of Community Correction of the need for immediate transport due to overcrowding or other issues, and the department shall consider the request when scheduling inmate intake.

County sheriffs must transport inmates to court proceedings and are responsible for custody, sustenance, and safety during transport; the county holding the proceeding pays all transportation and care expenses.

Courts may assess costs for civil proceedings not arising from criminal charges against parties to compensate the Department of Correction for actual transportation costs, except the Department of Human Services cannot be assessed costs if it is a party.

The Department of Correction or Department of Community Correction shall transport inmates to hospitals, medical facilities, or clinics for medical reasons, though other entities may transport in emergency situations.