Concerning procedures related to the provision of health-care services to inmates, and, in connection therewith, prohibiting certain copayments and fees.

Current law requires the department of corrections (department) to assess a copayment for inmate-initiated visits to providers of medical, dental, mental health, and optometric care services. Current law permits a waiver or reduction of the copayment under a range of circumstances. The department's current administrative regulations assess fees when an inmate fails to attend or refuses a scheduled health-care appointment. The bill eliminates the copayment and prohibits the department from assessing a fee when an inmate fails to attend or refuses a health-care appointment until July 1, 2028 . The bill requires the department to report during its 2026 "SMART Act" hearing on the number of times an inmate failed to attend a scheduled health-care appointment or requested an appointment when the request was not relevant to an actual medical condition. The bill reduces appropriations to the department by a net of $165,682, which includes an increase of $157,179 appropriated from the general fund and a decrease of $322,861 from cash funds.

(Note: This summary applies to the reengrossed version of this bill as introduced in the second house.)

Sponsors

Rep. M. Carter, Rep. L. Garcia, Sen. I. Jodeh, Sen. N. Hinrichsen

Status

Awaiting Governor Signature

Session

2025

Bill number

Position

Support