WA HB1301

Voice communication services (phone calls) and other communication services (video, email, messaging) must be provided free of charge to incarcerated individuals and call recipients in state correctional facilities run by the Department of Corrections and Department of Children, Youth, and Families.

The department is prohibited from receiving any revenue, commission, or fee from communication services, and must maintain at least the same level of communication access that existed as of January 1, 2025.

The Department of Corrections must provide tablets to all incarcerated individuals at no cost and maintain the same number of wall phones per housing unit as of January 1, 2025.

Communication services cannot be used to replace or supplant in-person contact visits that incarcerated individuals are eligible to receive.

Contractors providing telecommunication and electronic media services must report annually on service rates, usage data, customer service response times, and revenues, with the department submitting compliance reports to the governor and legislature by November 1st each year; effective date is December 1, 2025.