SB 257 - This act provides that, effective January 1, 2024, any inmate who receives an on-site, non-emergency medical examination or treatment from the correctional center's medical personnel shall be assessed a charge of 50 cents per visit for the medical examination or treatment. Inmates shall not be charged a co-pay fee for the following:
• Staff-approved follow-up treatment for chronic illnesses;
• Preventive health care;
• Emergency services;
• Prenatal care;
• Diagnosis or treatment of chronic infectious diseases;
• Mental health care; or
• Substance abuse treatment.
This act provides that inmates without funds shall not be charged, provided they are considered to be indigent and unable to pay the health care services fee. Additionally, this act provides that the Department of Corrections shall deposit all funds collected into General Revenue.
This act is identical to provisions in HCS/SS/SB 212 (2021) and similar to SB 395 (2021).
MARY GRACE PRINGLE