IL HB6200

Department of Central Management Services must contract with the lowest-cost qualified vendor for inmate calling services, with rates not exceeding 7 cents per minute for debit, prepaid, and collect calls effective January 1, 2018.

Vendors cannot charge any additional taxes, service charges, or fees exceeding the per-minute rate, including per-call surcharges, account setup fees, bill statement fees, monthly maintenance charges, or refund fees.

International calls must be available through prepaid or collect call systems at reasonable rates not exceeding 23 cents per minute, subject to Federal Communications Commission regulations.

These requirements apply to any new or renewal inmate calling service contracts and implement standards established by FCC Order WC Docket 12-375 (FCC 15-136).

The Act takes effect January 1, 2017.