AN ACT CONCERNING VISITATION POLICIES OF THE DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTION AND THE TRANSFER OF FUNDS HELD IN TRUST BY THE DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTION TO PERSONS WHO WERE FORMERLY INCARCERATED.

This bill requires the Department of Correction to allow incarcerated individuals housed with the general population to have at least three in-person visits per week and mandates that all communication services, including voice, video, and email, be provided free of charge to inmates. It also prohibits the department from using communication services to replace authorized in-person visits and ensures that the state cannot profit from providing these communication services. Additionally, the bill establishes a process for releasing any remaining funds from an inmate's trust account upon their release, allowing the money to be disbursed via cash, check, or electronic card without any fees. These changes aim to improve visitation access and ensure formerly incarcerated individuals receive their held funds without cost.