HB 357 2023
CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb0357-00
Page 1 of 2
F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
A bill to be entitled 1
An act relating to the treatment of inmates; creating 2
s. 944.092, F.S.; specifying certain rights of inmates 3
in the correctional system; requiring a written copy 4
of the rights to be provided to each inmate; 5
authorizing relief for deprivation of rights; 6
providing an effective date. 7
8
Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Florida: 9
10
Section 1. Section 944.092, Florida Statutes, is created 11
to read: 12
944.092 Basic rights of inmates. — 13
(1) RIGHTS.—Each inmate in the correctional system has the 14
right to: 15
(a) Proper ventilation. —All housing units must have air 16
conditioning systems or air cooling syst ems; however, housing 17
units in use on or before July 1, 2023, which cannot be fitted 18
for air conditioning or air cooling systems, shall receive 19
exhaust fans and air circulators sufficient to provide a safe 20
and healthful environment for inmates. 21
(b) Sufficient meal time.—Inmates must receive at least 20 22
minutes to eat each meal. The minimum time shall be extended to 23
the amount necessary for an inmate to complete the meal if the 24
inmate receives an approved medical reason for an extension. 25
HB 357 2023
CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb0357-00
Page 2 of 2
F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
(c) Adequate food supply in case of emergency. —Each 26
correctional institution shall establish a program with one or 27
more community food banks located near the institution to ensure 28
an adequate food supply is made available to the inmate 29
population if conditions exist that prevent regular food supply 30
services due to an event such as a natural disaster or other 31
emergency. 32
(d) Necessary health supplies. —The department must 33
provide: 34
1. Necessary personal protective equipment for medical 35
staff at all times and for all staff and inmates during health 36
crises or during cleaning. 37
2. Necessary health products for inmates including, but 38
not limited to, sanitary napkins, tampons, soap, and toothpaste, 39
upon request of the inmates. 40
(e) Medical care.—The department must provide inm ates with 41
adequate medical care for their medical needs. 42
(2) NOTICE.—The department shall provide a written copy of 43
the rights established in this section to each inmate upon his 44
or her entry into the correctional system. 45
(3) GRIEVANCES.—An inmate may file a grievance with the 46
department if the inmate believes a right guaranteed in this 47
section is being denied by a correctional institution. 48
Section 2. This act shall take effect July 1, 2023. 49