SB1227: Electronic visitation and messaging with prisoners; sheriffs, etc., to charge fee for use.
Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:
1. That the Code of Virginia is amended by adding in Article 6 of Chapter 3 of Title 53.1 a section numbered 53.1-127.2 as follows:
§ 53.1-127.2. Fees for electronic visitation and messaging with prisoners in local correctional facilities.
Each sheriff [ or jail superintendent ] who operates a correctional facility that utilizes an electronic visitation system or electronic messaging system for communication between prisoners and third parties is authorized to provide for the establishment and collection of a fee for the system utilized. The fee shall not exceed the actual costs of establishing and operating such a system and the proceeds may not be used for any purpose other than to offset the costs of establishing and operating a system.
This section does not apply to telephonic communication systems or to electronic video and audio communication systems used in judicial proceedings.
Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:
1. That the Code of Virginia is amended by adding in Article 6 of Chapter 3 of Title 53.1 a section numbered 53.1-127.2 as follows:
§ 53.1-127.2. Fees for electronic visitation and messaging with prisoners in local correctional facilities.
Each sheriff who operates a correctional facility that utilizes an electronic visitation system or electronic messaging system for communication between prisoners and third parties is authorized to provide for the establishment and collection of a fee for the system utilized. The fee shall not exceed the actual costs of establishing and operating such a system and the proceeds may not be used for any purpose other than to offset the costs of establishing and operating a system.
This section does not apply to telephonic communication systems or to electronic video and audio communication systems used in judicial proceedings.