Budget Amendment ID: FY2025-S4-938-R1

Redraft EPS 938

No Cost Calls Reporting Requirements

Ms. Creem, Ms. Jehlen, Ms. Edwards and Mr. Payano moved that the proposed new text be amended by inserting after section 29 the following 2 sections:-

“SECTION 29A. Section 2XXXXX of said chapter 29 of the General Laws, as appearing in the 2022 Official Edition, is hereby amended by striking out, in line 18, the word “services”.

SECTION 29B. Said section 2XXXXX of said chapter 29, as so appearing, is hereby amended by striking out subsections (c) and (d) and inserting in place thereof the following 2 subsections:-

(c) The department of correction and the sheriffs shall biannually submit to the secretary of administration and finance documentation of communication services provided free of charge in order to receive payments from the fund pursuant to subsection (b); provided, however, that documentation shall include, but not be limited to, the following information for each facility: (i) the total number of voice calls; (ii) the total number of minutes for voice calls; (iii) the total number of video calls; (iv) the total number of minutes for video calls; (v) the total  number of electronic mail messages sent and received; and (vi) any additional documentation as deemed necessary by the secretary.

(d) Biannually, the secretary of administration and finance, in consultation with the department of correction and the sheriffs, shall report to the senate and house committees on ways and means and the joint committee on the judiciary on matters related to telecommunication contracts entered into by the department of correction and the sheriffs, including, but not limited to: (i) records of all payments for telecommunications services for incarcerated persons; (ii) an overview of contracts for all telecommunication services the department entered into, including the compensation structure included in the contracts; (iii) a rate sheet itemizing all charges to consumers for services or programs embedded in the telecommunications contracts, including charges for tablet services and transfers to commissary accounts via tablet; (iv) revenue derived by the department and the sheriffs from products or services embedded in the telecommunications contracts; (v) any policy governing access to voice, video or electronic mail communications; and (vi) any changes in telecommunication contracts for voice communication services, including any progress in maximizing purchasing power and consolidating contracts between the sheriffs and the department of correction.”.