Connecticut House Bill HB06376

Connecticut 2025 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/23/25
• Refer: 1/23/25

Caption

An Act Concerning Overcharging By Correctional Facility Commissaries.

Impact

The potential impact of HB 06376 is significant as it aims to protect the rights and financial well-being of incarcerated individuals and their families. By preventing overcharging by commissaries, the bill strives to ensure that those who are already facing challenging circumstances due to incarceration are not further burdened by unfair pricing. This could lead to a decrease in financial strain on families that often provide support to inmates through commissary purchases, which can cover essential items such as hygiene products or snacks. Moreover, the enforcement of this bill could compel correctional facilities to revisit their pricing structures and implement more transparent pricing mechanisms.

Summary

House Bill 06376, also known as the Act Concerning Overcharging By Correctional Facility Commissaries, aims to address the issue of overcharging incarcerated persons and their families by commissaries in correctional facilities. The legislation specifically seeks to amend Title 18 of the general statutes to prohibit such practices, giving a clear mandate that the prices charged in commissaries must reflect fair market value rather than inflated prices that exploit the vulnerable population within these facilities. This bill seeks to promote fairness and accountability within the correctional system regarding the financial transactions that inmates and their loved ones engage in.

Contention

While the bill is likely to gain support from advocates who prioritize the rights of incarcerated persons, there may be points of contention regarding the operational implications for correctional facilities. Opponents may argue that limiting pricing flexibility could potentially impact the revenue generated by these commissaries, which in turn could affect funding for programs within the facilities. Further discussions may arise about establishing what constitutes fair market value and how that is determined, along with concerns regarding the administrative burden of enforcing compliance with the new pricing standards.