SENATE DOCKET, NO. 1966        FILED ON: 1/20/2017

SENATE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No. 1335

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

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PRESENTED BY:

Mark C. Montigny

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To the Honorable Senate and House of Representatives of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts in General
Court assembled:

The undersigned legislators and/or citizens respectfully petition for the adoption of the accompanying bill:

An Act to preserve family ties and inmate visitation.

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PETITION OF:

SENATE DOCKET, NO. 1966        FILED ON: 1/20/2017

SENATE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No. 1335

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

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In the One Hundred and Ninetieth General Court
(2017-2018)

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An Act to preserve family ties and inmate visitation.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court assembled, and by the authority of the same, as follows:
 

Chapter 127 of the General Laws is hereby amended by adding the following section:-

Section 36C. Any correctional or penal institution in the commonwealth that elects to use video or other types of electronic devices for inmate visitations shall also provide inmates with in-person visitation. Any correctional or penal institution in the commonwealth may charge a fee for video or other types of electronic communication for inmate visitation, provided that the fee does not exceed the operating cost of the visitation. Any fees collected in excess of operating costs shall be allocated to the Victim’s Trust Fund as defined in Chapter 258C.

All correctional and penal institutions in the commonwealth shall provide eligible inmates at least one opportunity for visitation in a seven day period.

Facilities shall have until January 1, 2020 to comply with this section. Any facility that does not comply with these requirements by this date is prohibited from charging any fee for video or other types of electronic communication for visitation.