§ 72.09.765 — Inmate access to telecommunication services—Contracting—Reporting.

Washington § 72.09.765

• Jurisdiction: Washington
• Title 72: STATE INSTITUTIONS
• Ch. 72.09: DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS

Text

(1) Any contract to provide inmates with access to telecommunication services and electronic media services in state correctional facilities shall be made publicly available and posted on the department's website.

(2) The information in this subsection from the contract shall be prominently displayed on the department's public website:

(a) Rates for facilitating telecommunication services including, but not limited to, phone calls, video visitation, videograms and video clips, emails, and accessing music and entertainment;

(b) Fees charged for money transfers and transactions, maintenance of financial accounts, and any other fee charged to the user to facilitate the money transfer or online deposit account; and

(c) All fees or costs charged to the inmate or customer in exchange for use of telecommunication or electronic media services through the contract.

(3) By July 1st of each year, the contractor that provides inmates with access to telecommunication services and electronic media services under subsection (1) of this section shall report to the department the following information:

(a) A summary of services offered at each correctional facility;

(b) Rates charged for, or associated with, providing each type of service including, but not limited to, monthly financial account maintenance fees, transaction fees associated with money transfers, per call and connection surcharges, bill statement fees, and refund fees;

(c) A total accounting of commissions provided to the department or correctional facility;

(d) A summary and accounting of services used by inmates categorized as indigent;

(e) One-time and ongoing costs incurred for installing and maintaining hardware;

(f) Average customer service response time rates per facility and the average time taken to resolve an issue or provide a refund for defective services; and

(g) An accounting of all revenues or losses incurred by the contractor by quarter.

(4) By November 1st of each year, and in compliance with RCW 43.01.036 , the department shall report to the governor and legislature on contracts for telecommunication services and electronic media services under this section and the contractor's annual compliance with this section.

(5) This section applies to any contract in effect on June 11, 2020, and to any renegotiation, renewal, or extension of such contract.

Finding — 2020 c 319: See note following RCW 72.09.015 .

Legislative History

[2020 c 319 s 4.]