SCS/HB 1837 - Under current law, it is a crime to possess, deliver, deposit, or conceal certain items in a prison or jail. This act adds two-way telecommunications devices and their component parts to the list of prohibited items. This act provides that the prohibition on telecommunications devices does not apply to law enforcement officers lawfully engaged in their duties or any person who is authorized to use such a device in the facility.
This provision is identical to SB 689 (2016) and is similar to HCS/SS/SCS/SB 663 (2016), HCS/SCS/SB 804 (2016), and HB 1779 (2016).
In addition, this act removes the statutory provision allowing an offender to object to the use of videoconferencing at probation and parole hearings, and requires the Board of Probation and Parole to conduct an interview, rather than a personal interview, of the offender before ordering parole.
These provisions are identical to HB 1585 (2016) and HCS/SB 681 (2016) and are similar to HCS/SS/SCS/SB 663 (2016) and SB 1006 (2016).
MEGHAN LUECKE