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MD SB56
Bill
Status
Introduced
1/8/2025
Primary Sponsor
Jeff Waldstreicher
Click for details
AI Summary
- State correctional facilities must pay all costs for telephone equipment and services used by incarcerated individuals, effective July 1, 2026
- Facilities and telephone service providers are prohibited from charging incarcerated individuals or third parties (including call recipients) for phone calls
- Facilities must maintain a ratio of one telephone per ten incarcerated individuals, and phone access cannot reduce in-person visitation time
- Establishes a Costs of Telephone Communications Advisory Committee to study no-charge prison phone programs in other states and recommend implementation strategies, with a report due by December 31, 2025
- Advisory Committee includes legislators, corrections officials, the Public Defender, formerly and currently incarcerated individuals, and representatives from advocacy organizations
Legislative Description
State Correctional Facilities - Incarcerated Individuals - Costs of Telephone Communications
Reports
Last Action
Hearing 1/09 at 2:00 p.m.
1/2/2025
Committee Referrals
Judicial Proceedings1/8/2025
Full Bill Text
No bill text available