BILL ANALYSIS
AB 1487
Page 1
ASSEMBLY THIRD READING
AB 1487 (Hill)
As Amended April 2, 2009
Majority vote
PUBLIC SAFETY 6-1
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|Ayes:|Solorio, Hagman, | | |
| |Furutani, Anderson, Hill, | | |
| |Ma | | |
| | | | |
|-----+--------------------------+-----+--------------------------|
|Nays:|Skinner | | |
| | | | |
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SUMMARY : Increases from $3 to $6 the fee charged for each
inmate-initiated medical visit by an inmate confined in a county
or city jail, and requires that the $3 fee increase be deposited
in the county Inmate Welfare Fund (IWF), as specified.
EXISTING LAW :
1)Provides that a sheriff, director of corrections, or chief of
police is authorized to charge a fee in the amount of $3 for
each inmate initiated medical visit of an inmate confined in a
county or city jail.
2)States that the fee shall be charged to the inmate's personal
account at the facility. If the inmate has no money in his or
her personal account, there shall be no charge for the medical
visit, the inmate shall not be denied medical care because of
a lack of funds in his or her personal account at the
facility.
3)Provides that the medical provider may waive the fee for any
inmate-initiated treatment and shall waive the fee for any
life-threatening or emergency situation, defined as those
health services required for alleviation of severe pain or for
immediate diagnosis and treatment of unforeseen medical
conditions that if not immediately treated could lead to
disability or death.
AB 1487
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4)Requires that all moneys received for inmate initiated medical
visits received by a sheriff, director of corrections, or
chief of police be transferred to the county or city general
fund.
5)Authorizes a county sheriff to establish, maintain and operate
a store in connection with the county jail and for this
purchase may purchase confectionary, tobacco and tobacco
users' supplies, postage and writing materials, and toilet
articles and supplies and sell these goods, articles, and
supplies for cash to inmates.
6)Provides that the sale prices of the articles offered for sale
at the store shall be fixed by the sheriff. Any profit shall
be deposited in the inmate welfare fund to be kept in the
treasury of the county.
7)Provides that money and property deposited in the inmate
welfare fund shall be expended by the sheriff primarily for
the benefit, education, and welfare of the inmates confined
within the county jail.
8)Authorizes the sheriff to expend money from the IWF to provide
indigent inmates, prior to the release from the county jail or
other adult correctional facility under the sheriff's
jurisdiction, with essential clothing and transportation
expenses.
FISCAL EFFECT : None
COMMENTS : According to the author, "The fee currently charged
for inmate-initiated visits has not increased since 1994, but
the costs associated with providing these services have risen
since then. AB 1487 would help bring the fee in line with the
increased costs, while ensuring that inmates are not denied care
because of an inability to pay.
"The bill also requires that any fees collected in excess of the
current $3 go toward the county IWF. The IWF is designed to
provide services essential to the benefit, welfare, and
educational needs of the inmates confined within the detention
facilities. Any funds that are not needed for the welfare of
the inmates may be expended for the maintenance of county jail
facilities. The sheriff may also expend money from the IWF to
AB 1487
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provide indigent inmates, upon release from the county jail or
any other adult detention facility under the jurisdiction of the
sheriff, with essential clothing and transportation expenses.
"AB 1487 is designed to help counties meet the fiscal demands of
rising costs of medical expenses while ensuring that additional
moneys collected are spent to benefit inmate welfare."
Please see the policy committee for a full discussion of this
bill.
Analysis Prepared by : Gregory Pagan / PUB. S. / (916)
319-3744
FN: 0000722