SSB 5231
In CommitteeSenate
Confinement fees & expenses
Concerning reducing fees and expenses for services for people confined in state correctional facilities.
This status may be delayed. See Action History below for the latest updates.
How does a bill become law?
- Introduced: The bill is filed and assigned a number.
- Committee: A subject-matter committee holds hearings, takes public testimony, and decides whether to advance the bill.
- Floor Vote: The full chamber (House or Senate) debates and votes on the bill.
- Opposite Chamber: The bill repeats the committee and floor vote process in the other chamber.
- Governor: The Governor reviews the bill and decides whether to sign or veto it.
- Signed: The bill has been signed into law.
AI Analysis
The bill eliminates fees for communication services (like phone calls, video visits, and messaging) for people in state custody and requires free access to tablets and communication devices. It also mandates transparency in contracts and prohibits the state from profiting from these services.
- Requires the Department of Corrections and Department of Children, Youth, and Families to provide free voice, video, and messaging services to people in custody, with no charges to either the sender or receiver.
- Prohibits the state from receiving commissions or fees from communication service providers and bans using communication services to replace in-person visits.
- Mandates that tablets be provided at no cost to all people in custody in state facilities, and that facilities maintain the same number of wall phones as of January 1, 2025.
- Requires public disclosure of contracts, rates, fees, and usage data—including for indigent individuals—on agency websites and in housing units, with annual reporting to the legislature.
- Establishes the Connecting Families Act as the official name of the law.
Who is affected
- People confined in state facilities — People incarcerated or detained in state correctional facilities (including youth in Department of Children, Youth, and Families custody) will receive free voice, video, and messaging services and tablets at no cost, and will no longer be charged for communication services or commissions from service providers.
- Families and friends of incarcerated individuals — Families and friends of incarcerated individuals will benefit from free communication access (e.g., phone calls, video visits, messaging) with their loved ones, without being charged fees for receiving calls or messages.
- Washington State Department of Corrections and Department of Children, Youth, and Families — State agencies—specifically the Department of Corrections and Department of Children, Youth, and Families—must revise contracts and operations to eliminate fees for communication services and provide tablets and communication devices at no cost to people in custody.
- Telecommunications and electronic media service contractors — Private contractors who currently provide telecommunication and electronic media services to state facilities will need to adjust contracts to comply with new transparency, reporting, and fee-prohibition requirements.
Pro/Con Analysis
Stronger case for benefits
Potential Benefits (5)
Free access to voice, video, and messaging services significantly strengthens the ability of incarcerated individuals to maintain family ties, access legal counsel, and exercise First Amendment rights—critical for rehabilitation and reducing recidivism.
Rights & LibertiesPeopleRef: Sec. 1(1); Sec. 1(4)(a); Sec. 1(5)Eliminating fees for communication services removes a major financial burden on low-income families—many of whom are women of color and living below 200% of the federal poverty line—who currently pay $1–$15 per call to stay in touch with lovedies in custody.
FinancialPeopleRef: Sec. 1(1); Sec. 2(2)(a)-(c)Mandated transparency and annual reporting on contracts, rates, and indigent usage will reduce hidden costs and predatory pricing, enabling better oversight and accountability—key for preventing exploitation of vulnerable populations.
Public SafetyPeopleRef: Sec. 2(1); Sec. 2(2); Sec. 2(3)(d); Sec. 2(4)Free tablets may enable access to educational software, legal research tools, and distance learning—supporting literacy, GED completion, and job training, which are strongly linked to reduced recidivism.
EducationPeopleRef: Sec. 1(4)(a); Sec. 1(5)Free communication access supports continuity of care—e.g., telehealth appointments, mental health counseling, and crisis support—critical for addressing high rates of trauma, substance use, and mental illness among incarcerated populations.
HealthcarePeopleRef: Sec. 1(1); Sec. 1(3)
Potential Concerns (5)
Elimination of state revenue from communication service commissions and fees reduces state budget flexibility, potentially leading to cuts in other correctional or rehabilitative programs that support reentry, education, or mental health services—services many formerly incarcerated people rely on upon release.
FinancialPeopleRef: Sec. 1(2); Sec. 1(4)(a); Sec. 1(5)Mandating maintenance of 2025 wall phone levels while adding tablets may strain facility infrastructure and staffing resources, potentially slowing emergency response times or increasing wait times for urgent communication needs (e.g., medical emergencies, crisis intervention).
Public SafetyPeopleRef: Sec. 1(4)(b); Sec. 1(1)Contractors may reduce service quality or exit contracts due to loss of commission revenue, potentially limiting innovation in secure communication tools or increasing administrative burden on agencies to manage new service models.
Business & EmploymentLean peopleRef: Sec. 2(3)(d); Sec. 2(3)(a)State-mandated provision of tablets and infrastructure may create unfunded liabilities for counties or private contractors if they are asked to temporarily house state inmates or assist with device distribution, though the bill applies only to state facilities.
Local GovernmentLean peopleRef: Sec. 1(4)(a); Sec. 1(5)Prohibiting use of communication services to *supplant* in-person visits may limit operational flexibility during staffing shortages or emergencies (e.g., lockdowns, outbreaks), potentially increasing risks to staff and incarcerated individuals.
Public SafetyLean peopleRef: Sec. 1(3)
Who Is Most Affected
People in custody—especially those with family outside who cannot afford high phone rates—gain meaningful access to communication, legal support, and mental health services. This directly improves well-being and post-release outcomes.
Families and friends—particularly low-income women and children—no longer bear the cost of phone calls, which can exceed $100/month per incarcerated relative. This reduces financial stress and supports family stability.
Agencies face increased upfront costs for tablets and infrastructure, and must revise contracts and reporting processes. However, they avoid long-term reputational and legal risks associated with exploitative practices.
Contractors lose commission revenue, which may reduce incentives to invest in advanced features (e.g., secure tablets with educational apps). However, they retain opportunities to serve under new fee-transparent models.
Taxpayers benefit from reduced recidivism and associated incarceration costs, but may see modest short-term increases in state spending on devices and service contracts.