WV HB3491

Limits county financial responsibility for housing felony-convicted inmates awaiting transport to state correctional facilities for 60-day evaluation periods to a maximum of 30 days from the date of incarceration

Counties remain responsible for per diem jail costs for pretrial inmates and convicted misdemeanants, while the state Division of Corrections and Rehabilitation covers costs for felony convicts beginning the day after conviction

Maintains the current tiered per diem rate structure where counties pay 80% of the daily rate for the first 80% of their allocated inmate days, 100% for days between 80-100% of allocation, and 120% for days exceeding their allocation

The base per diem rate of $54.48 per inmate per day (effective July 1, 2023) continues to be adjusted annually by the State Budget Office based on a three-year average of operating costs