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Current Status Bill Number:View additional legislative information at the LPITS web site.1289 Type of Legislation:Joint Resolution JR Introducing Body:Senate Introduced Date:20000329 Primary Sponsor:Anderson All Sponsors:Anderson, Bryan, Ford, Patterson, Jackson, Ravenel, Fair, Branton, Washington and Matthews Drafted Document Number:l:\s-res\ra\002tele.barden.doc Residing Body:Senate Current Committee:Finance Committee 06 SF Subject:Communication Services Study Committee, if system charges inhibit family from telephone use to prisoner; Corrections History Body Date Action Description Com Leg Involved ______ ________ ______________________________________ _______ ____________ Senate 20000329 Introduced, read first time, 06 SF referred to Committee Versions of This Bill
TO ESTABLISH A JOINT COMMITTEE TO STUDY THE COMMUNICATION SERVICES PROVIDED BY THE STATE SO AS TO DETERMINE WHETHER CURRENT COMMUNICATION SYSTEM CHARGES ARE APPROPRIATE AND DO NOT INHIBIT THE ABILITY OF LOW INCOME FAMILIES TO COMMUNICATE WITH FAMILY MEMBERS WHO ARE INCARCERATED; TO REVIEW ALL COMMUNICATION ACTIVITIES AND EXPENDITURES INCLUDING ALL CONTRACTS FOR SERVICES, DEVICES, EQUIPMENT AND PRODUCTS APPROVED, LEASED OR USED BY THE STATE FOR COMMUNICATION PURPOSES; TO PROVIDE AN ANALYSIS OF REVENUES GENERATED TO THE STATE; TO CONDUCT AN ANALYSIS OF WHETHER ANY SYSTEM SAVINGS COULD RESULT FROM PRIVATIZATION OF SOME OR ALL OF THE STATES' COMMUNICATION NETWORK; AND TO REPORT TO THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY ANY RECOMMENDATIONS BEFORE APRIL 1, 2001.
Whereas, there is a compelling interest on behalf of the State to rehabilitate individuals incarcerated in correctional institutions; and
Whereas, inmates must have frequent and regular communications with their family if their rehabilitation and release back into the public is going to be complete and successful; and
Whereas, unreasonable charges for toll or collect telephone calls hurt low income families and deprive them of having an appropriate and reasonable opportunity to communicate with their family members who are incarnated; and
Whereas, it is in the best interest of the taxpayers of this State to assist in producing a person who is rehabilitated and prepared to reenter society as a productive citizen; and
Whereas, a critical part of this rehabilitation is keeping an inmate in touch with his or her family and community social structure; and
Whereas, there is a public interest to be served by ensuring that the State uses its full capacity to provide for and foster this communication; and
Whereas, in order to make an informed decision there is a necessity to review all communication activities and expenditures carried on or made by the State, including but not limited to the provision of any communication or transmission service as well as all contracts for services, devices and equipment. Now, therefore;
Be it resolved by the General Assembly of the State of South Carolina:
SECTION 1. (A) There is established a special joint committee to study the State's communication network to determine if services and rates provided by or for and/or contracted for on behalf of the State at correctional facilities and other governmental properties are set at reasonable rates. The joint committee must review rate structures and the manner in which such rates are applied across state government so as to determine whether rate structures established by the state are reasonable and equitable. In completing this review, the joint committee must examine all contracts for services, devices, equipment and/or products approved, leased, or in any other manner employed or used by the State. As well, the joint committee must perform a complete analysis of all income, expenditures, revenues and/or retained earnings or reserves generated by or resulting from the operation of the state communication network. The joint committee must analyze the assembled information to assess and make a finding as to whether or not the operation of the state communication network adversely impacts the ability of low income families to communicate with their family members in state penal institutions. The joint committee must include in it's a findings, such information as may be useful on the advisability of allowing state agencies to privatize communication services.
(B) The committee is comprised of eight members, four each to be appointed from the House Ways and Means Committee and the Senate Finance Committee by the respective committee chairmen. The committee must be staffed by personnel of the House Ways and Means Committee and the Senate Finance Committee. The committee must submit a report and recommendations to the General Assembly not later than April 1, 2001.
SECTION 2. This joint resolution takes effect upon approval of the Governor.
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