HB 2204 - Private Prisons; Regulation

• Requires private prisons to notify the state department of corrections immediately of major incidents affecting public health, safety, or operations, with civil penalties for failure to comply.

• Private prisons must maintain financial responsibility of at least $10 million through deposited funds, insurance policies, surety bonds, or certified financial statements showing net worth exceeding $15 million.

• Establishes restrictions on housing out-of-state and federal prisoners, including prohibition on housing those with escape histories, sexual offense convictions, Class 1-2 felony convictions, or certain communicable diseases; only minimum/medium custody prisoners allowed.

• Requires private prisons to provide 48-hour advance written notice (7 days for transfers of 11+ prisoners) to state officials before transferring prisoners in or out of state, including prisoner names, numbers, security levels, and sentencing jurisdiction.

• Security officers employed by private prisons must be at least 21 years old with no felony or domestic violence convictions, and cannot continue employment if subsequently convicted of such offenses.