Connecticut House Bill HB06713

Connecticut 2019 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/29/19
• Refer: 1/29/19

Caption

An Act Concerning Marked-up Prices In Correctional Facility Commissaries.

Impact

If enacted, HB 06713 would result in changes to title 18 of the general statutes, meaning that all correctional facilities would need to adjust their pricing strategies for commissary items. This would eliminate any practice of price inflation within the commissaries that sell goods to inmates, contributing to a more equitable purchasing environment. Such a change is expected to have a positive financial impact on inmates, helping to alleviate some of the economic burdens they face while incarcerated.

Summary

House Bill 06713 aims to address the pricing practices of commissaries in correctional facilities, specifically prohibiting them from marking up prices of items sold to inmates. This legislation is intended to protect inmates from potentially excessive pricing on essential goods, thereby ensuring that their limited financial resources are not exploited. The bill reflects an understanding of the financial challenges faced by individuals in correctional facilities, where they often have limited means to obtain necessary items.

Contention

There may be differing opinions on the implications of the bill. Supporters are likely to argue that the bill promotes fairness and consumer rights for a vulnerable population, while opponents might raise concerns about the financial sustainability of commissaries if they can no longer mark up prices. This could lead to debates regarding the viability of providing necessary items within correctional facilities without imposing additional financial burdens on the facilities themselves.