On October 8, 2019 Governor Gavin Newsome approved AB 45 and it has been Chaptered by Secretary of State – Chapter 570, Statutes of 2019.

Thank you to everyone for your help and support with this bill!

About the Bill: Existing law authorizes the Director of Corrections to charge a $5 fee for each inmate-initiated medical visit of an inmate confined in the state prison, except under specified circumstances, and requires that the moneys received be expended to reimburse the department for direct provision of inmate health care services.

Existing law also authorizes a sheriff, chief or director of corrections, or chief of police to charge a $3 fee for each inmate-initiated medical visit of an inmate confined in a county or city jail, except as specified, and requires that the moneys received be transferred to the county or city general fund. Existing law also authorizes a county or city to recover from an inmate or a person legally responsible for the inmate’s care the costs of necessary medical care rendered to the inmate, under certain conditions.

This bill would instead prohibit the director or a sheriff, chief or director of corrections, or chief of police from charging a fee for an inmate-initiated medical visit of an inmate of the state prison or a county or city jail, and would make a conforming change. The bill would also prohibit those officials from charging an inmate of the state prison or a city or county jail a fee for durable medical equipment or medical supplies, as defined.

AB 45 – Introduced by Assembly Members Mark Stone and Jones-Sawyer with Coauthors Assembly Members Chiu and Kalra and Senator Wiener.

AB 45 – Full Bill Text