HB797: Electronic visitation; state correctional facilities.
Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:
1. That the Code of Virginia is amended by adding a section numbered 53.1-35.1 as follows:
§ 53.1-35.1. Electronic visitation and messaging with inmates; fees.
The Director is authorized to prescribe reasonable rules regarding electronic visitation systems or electronic messaging systems, including Voice-over-Internet Protocol technology and web-based communication systems, for communication between prisoners and third parties and collection of a fee for the system utilized. Any state correctional facility that utilizes such systems shall establish such system allowing for the security needs of the facility. Any state correctional facility that utilizes such system shall not prohibit in-person visitation.
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 a section numbered 53.1-35.1 as follows:
§ 53.1-35.1. Electronic visitation and messaging with inmates; fees.
The Director is authorized to prescribe reasonable rules
regarding electronic visitation systems or electronic messaging systems,
including Voice-over-Internet Protocol technology and web-based communication
systems, for communication between prisoners and third parties and collection
of a fee for the system utilized. [ However, no fee shall be charged
for communication between prisoners and third parties within any state
correctional facility or appurtenance thereto operated or controlled by the
state correctional facility. ] Any state correctional facility that
utilizes such systems shall establish such system [ with the lowest
available rates ] allowing for the security needs of the facility.
Any state correctional facility that utilizes such system shall not prohibit
in-person visitation.
This section does not apply to telephonic communication systems or to electronic video and audio communication systems used in judicial proceedings.
HOUSE BILL NO. 797
Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:
1. That the Code of Virginia is amended by adding a section numbered 53.1-35.1 as follows:
§ 53.1-35.1. Electronic visitation and messaging with inmates; fees.
The Director is authorized to prescribe reasonable rules regarding electronic visitation systems or electronic messaging systems, including Voice-over-Internet Protocol technology and web-based communication systems, for communication between prisoners and third parties and collection of a fee for the system utilized. However, no fee shall be charged for communication between prisoners and third parties within any state correctional facility or appurtenance thereto operated or controlled by the state correctional facility. Any state correctional facility that utilizes such systems shall establish such system with the lowest available rates allowing for the security needs of the facility. Any state correctional facility that utilizes such system shall not prohibit in-person visitation.
This section does not apply to telephonic communication systems or to electronic video and audio communication systems used in judicial proceedings.