HF1861 (Legislative Session 94 (2025-2026))
Fee communication services provided for confined persons.
Related bill: SF666
AI Generated Summary
The bill mandates that state-run correctional and human services facilities in Minnesota provide free voice communication services to incarcerated individuals, juveniles, and patients in direct care and treatment programs. It ensures that neither the caller nor the recipient bears any cost for these services. Additionally, facilities may offer supplementary communication options like video calls and electronic messaging but cannot use them as replacements for in-person visits.
The legislation prohibits state agencies from generating revenue from communication services, except for contracts in place before January 1, 2023. It requires the Department of Corrections to provide annual reports on communication contract status, spending, and service usage.
The bill also extends these communication rights to patients in state-run treatment programs, ensuring that service costs are not included in patient care expenses, while maintaining restrictions on communication for individuals subject to legal restrictions, such as protection orders.
Bill text versions
- Introduction PDF file
Actions
| Date | Chamber | Where | Type | Name | Committee Name |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| March 02, 2025 | House | Floor | Action | Introduction and first reading, referred to | Human Services Finance and Policy |
| March 25, 2025 | House | Floor | Action | Author added | |
| March 31, 2025 | House | Floor | Action | Committee report, to adopt and re-refer to | Public Safety Finance and Policy |
Citations
[
{
"analysis": {
"added": [
"Requires free voice and additional communication services for incarcerated individuals."
],
"removed": [
"State agencies are prohibited from receiving revenue from these services after January 1, 2023."
],
"summary": "This bill modifies communication services for incarcerated persons under section 241.252.",
"modified": [
"Clarifies the use of communication services must not replace in-person visitation programs."
]
},
"citation": "241.252"
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [
"Facilities may waive in-person visitation requirements during declared emergencies."
],
"removed": [],
"summary": "The bill references section 12.31 regarding declared emergencies as related to visitation programs.",
"modified": []
},
"citation": "12.31"
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [
"Department of Corrections must report annually on communication contracts and expenditures."
],
"removed": [],
"summary": "This bill involves reporting requirements under section 241.016 for communication services.",
"modified": []
},
"citation": "241.016"
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [
"Cost of communication services not to be included in the cost of care as per this section."
],
"removed": [],
"summary": "Referenced in relation to excluding communication service costs under the section 246.0142.",
"modified": []
},
"citation": "246.50"
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [
"Communications costs are excluded from care costs under this section."
],
"removed": [],
"summary": "Referenced regarding cost of care definitions under section 246.0142.",
"modified": []
},
"citation": "246B.01"
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [
"Clarifies restrictions are maintained under current statute despite new section."
],
"removed": [],
"summary": "Communication restrictions for civilly committed persons referenced in the bill.",
"modified": []
},
"citation": "253B.03"
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [
"Communication service restrictions are upheld as per this statute."
],
"removed": [],
"summary": "Restrictions under this section are maintained for civilly committed persons.",
"modified": []
},
"citation": "253D.19"
}
]