IA
Iowa House Bill HF249

Iowa 2023-2024 Regular Session

Iowa House Bill HF249

Introduced
2/9/23  
Refer
5/4/23  
Introduced
2/9/23  

Caption

A bill for an act relating to fees charged to a prisoner in the custody of a county sheriff or municipality for administrative costs, room and board, and medical aid.(Formerly HF 78.)

Impact

The passage of HF249 would have significant implications for the financial responsibilities placed on incarcerated individuals. It would formalize the ability of local law enforcement to seek reimbursement for specific costs, resulting in a clear legal basis to charge for room, board, and medical expenses. By stipulating that claims for these fees are approved without considering the inmate's capacity to pay, the bill could lead to increased financial burdens on individuals who are already in vulnerable positions due to their incarceration.

Summary

House File 249 pertains to the charges that may be levied against prisoners in the custody of a county sheriff or municipality. Specifically, the bill allows sheriffs or municipalities to charge prisoners for administrative costs associated with their arrest and booking, as well as room and board and any medical aid provided while in custody. This provision aims to clarify existing statutes and ensure that the process for claiming these fees is streamlined. Importantly, these claims will not take into account the prisoners' ability to pay, further solidifying the responsibility of prisoners to cover these costs irrespective of their financial situation.

Contention

A notable point of contention regarding this bill arises from concerns about the fairness of charging individuals who may already be struggling financially. Critics argue that imposing these financial obligations on prisoners could exacerbate existing inequalities, particularly for those who are indigent or from economically disadvantaged backgrounds. Additionally, there may be concerns about the potential for these fees to contribute to a cycle of debt among ex-offenders, as they may emerge from their sentences facing significant financial liabilities. These issues may lead to broader discussions on criminal justice reform and the ethics of charging fees to incarcerated individuals.

Companion Bills

IA HF78

Similar To A bill for an act relating to fees charged to a prisoner in the custody of a county sheriff or municipality for administrative costs, room and board, and medical aid.(See HF 249.)

Previously Filed As

IA HF78

A bill for an act relating to fees charged to a prisoner in the custody of a county sheriff or municipality for administrative costs, room and board, and medical aid.(See HF 249.)

IA HF525

A bill for an act relating to the Medicaid program including third-party recovery and taxation of Medicaid managed care organization premiums.(Formerly HSB 177; See HF 685.)

IA HSB177

A bill for an act relating to the Medicaid program including third-party recovery and taxation of Medicaid managed care organization premiums.(See HF 525, HF 685.)

IA HF685

A bill for an act relating to health care services and financing, including nursing facility licensing and financing and the Medicaid program including third-party recovery and taxation of Medicaid managed care organization premiums. (Formerly HF 525, HSB 177.) Effective date: 07/01/2023.

IA SB228

Requiring the secretary for aging and disability services to reimburse counties for certain costs when a person is in a county jail awaiting examination, evaluation or treatment for competency, modernizing statutes concerning county jails, removing the requirement that every county shall have a jail, modifying procedures used when district courts commit prisoners to jail in another county and when counties contract with city jails to keep prisoners and requiring a medical examination before certain United States prisoners or city prisoners are taken into custody of a county jail.

IA SF462

A bill for an act relating to the Medicaid program including third-party recovery and taxation of Medicaid managed care organization premiums.(Formerly SSB 1167; See SF 567.)

IA HF2514

A bill for an act abolishing county compensation boards.(Formerly HF 2345.)

IA HF474

A bill for an act relating to placement of custody of a newborn infant under the newborn safe haven Act. (Formerly HF 195.) Effective date: 07/01/2023.

IA HF2560

A bill for an act relating to the forfeiture of property for criminal offenses and repealing civil forfeiture. (Formerly HSB 634.)

IA SB303

Relative to the reimbursement of sheriffs offices for prisoner custody and control.

Similar Bills

No similar bills found.