Inmates: medical care: fees.

Existing law authorizes the Secretary of the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation 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 secretary 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.