An Act To Ensure the Availability of In-person Visitation in County Jails

Sec. 1. 30-A MRSA §1556-A  is enacted to read:

§ 1556-A.  Visitation

Except as otherwise provided in this section, and subject to any conditions and limitations required for the safety and security of a county jail as determined on a case-by-case basis by the sheriff of the county jail, the sheriff shall provide for in-person visitation between a prisoner and a visitor of the prisoner.

SUMMARY

This bill requires the sheriff of a county jail to provide for in-person visitation between a prisoner and a visitor of the prisoner, subject to any conditions and limitations required for the safety and security of the jail as determined on a case-by-case basis by the sheriff. The bill authorizes a sheriff to restrict a particular prisoner to video-only visitation upon a determination that allowing in-person visitation for that prisoner may jeopardize the safety and security of the jail. The bill also requires the sheriff to provide opportunities for in-person visitation involving physical contact between a prisoner and a visitor of the prisoner, subject to any conditions and limitations required for the safety and security of the jail as determined on a case-by-case basis by the sheriff.