KY HB557

Department of Corrections must contract with county jails and regional jails that elect to house state prisoners, with per diem rates at least equal to actual costs and contracts limited to 24-month terms

Creates two new state funds: a regional jail authority construction fund for capital projects and a regional jail conversion fund providing $1 million grants to counties that join or establish regional jail authorities (with 10-year membership requirement)

Establishes standards for holdover facilities housing prisoners up to 96 continuous hours, with Department of Corrections required to promulgate regulations covering health, safety, fire safety, training, and medical care

New local correctional facilities must have minimum capacity of 150 beds and receive construction authority approval; regional jail authorities can receive tentative approval pending funding from the construction fund

Class D felons sentenced to 5 years or less must serve time in jails with state contracts rather than county jails that simply agree to house state prisoners, and Department of Corrections gains authority to direct prisoner transfers when jails exceed 150% capacity