An act relating to telecommunications services and wages in correctional facilities

Removed the amendment to 28 V.S.A. section 802a that would have required inmates to be provided telephone and other communication services at no expense, including debit and collect call systems.

Removed new 28 V.S.A. section 820 that would have capped commissary prices at no more than 10 percent above fair market value for comparable products in the local community.

Removed the amendment to 28 V.S.A. section 751b that would have required inmates to be compensated at a rate equal to or greater than the federal minimum wage.

The wage impact report in Section 3 was expanded to include an assessment of the relationship between current wage levels and inmates' ability to purchase telecommunications services and commissary items, linking the two policy areas.

Removed the requirement for the Department of Corrections to evaluate its contracts with Global Tel Link Corporation and the Keefe Group by January 1, 2026 and report findings to the General Assembly.

Removed the requirement for the Commissioner of Corrections to update all Department of Corrections policies relating to inmate wages by January 1, 2026.

The effective date changed from July 1, 2025 to 'on passage,' reflecting that the bill no longer contains binding mandates with a future compliance date.

The telecommunications report in Section 2 was expanded with more detailed cost analysis requirements (start-up costs with and without Wi-Fi, operational costs, budget impacts, usage changes) and additional implementation considerations, but it now only requires a study rather than mandating free service.

The list of stakeholders the DOC must consult was modified: CoreCivic was removed, and new categories were added including family representatives, community-based reentry service providers, and the Prison Research and Innovation Network (PRIN).

Removed the mandate that inmates receive telephone calls at no expense (amendment to 28 V.S.A. section 802a), including free collect calls and free debit/collect call systems.

Removed the new commissary pricing rule (28 V.S.A. section 820) that would have capped commissary prices at no more than 10% above fair market value for comparable products in the local community.

Removed the mandate that incarcerated workers receive at least federal minimum wage (amendment to 28 V.S.A. section 751b) and the requirement to update DOC wage policies by January 1, 2026.

Added a comprehensive telecommunications evaluation report due December 1, 2026, requiring DOC to analyze current provider arrangements, describe alternative options (including nonprofit providers or regulated public utility), analyze costs of each alternative, and identify implementation requirements. Drafts must be provided to the Joint Legislative Justice Oversight Committee by September 15 and November 15, 2026.

Added a wage impact evaluation report due December 1, 2026, requiring DOC to assess the cost impact of providing services currently performed by incarcerated workers through State employees or contracted vendors.

Removed the specific requirement for DOC to evaluate contracts with Global Tel Link Corporation and the Keefe Group by January 1, 2026.

Removed CoreCivic from the list of stakeholders DOC must consult during the telecommunications evaluation.

Effective date changed from July 1, 2025 to 'on passage' (June 16, 2026), and all evaluation deadlines shifted to December 1, 2026.

New Section 1 amends 28 V.S.A. section 802a to require that inmates be given access to a telephone for outgoing calls at no expense within 24 hours of admission, must be allowed easy access to place collect calls at no expense upon admission, and must be offered debit or collect call options at no cost. Contracts for phone services must provide the lowest reasonable no-cost option.

New Section 2 adds 28 V.S.A. section 820, capping commissary prices so they do not exceed fair market value for comparable products in the community where the facility is located by more than 10 percent.

New Section 4 amends 28 V.S.A. section 751b to require that offenders be compensated at a rate equal to or greater than the federal minimum wage, unless a different wage is required by federal law for the position.

New Section 3 requires the Department of Corrections to evaluate its contracts with Global Tel Link Corporation and the Keefe Group by January 1, 2026, and report to the General Assembly on whether those vendors charge incarcerated individuals substantially higher prices than community rates or than competing vendors.

New Section 5 requires the Commissioner of Corrections to update all Department of Corrections policies relating to inmate wages to comply with the new minimum wage requirement by January 1, 2026.

The effective date was changed from 'on passage' (unofficial) to July 1, 2025 (official).

The session year in the header was changed from 2026 to 2025, and the bill title was expanded from 'telecommunications services and wages in correctional facilities' to also include 'commissary prices' and 'fair compensation for incarcerated labor.'

Removed the direct mandate requiring inmates to have free outgoing phone calls within 24 hours of admission, free collect calls, and free debit/collect call systems (original Sec. 1).

Removed the mandate requiring inmate labor to be compensated at or above federal minimum wage, along with provisions for separate wage funds and deductions (original Sec. 4).

Added a comprehensive telecommunications evaluation report requirement due December 1, 2026. The report must describe the current service model, analyze alternatives including nonprofit providers and regulated public utility options, compare costs (start-up, ongoing, budget impacts), and identify implementation considerations.

Added a wage impact evaluation report requirement due December 1, 2026. The report must collect current wage data, estimate the cost to the State of providing inmate-performed services through state employees or vendors, compare wage scenarios, and assess how wages affect family contact maintenance, restitution compliance, reentry success, and ability to purchase telecommunications and commissary items.

Removed the entire commissary price cap provision that would have limited commissary prices to no more than 10% above fair market value for comparable community products (original Sec. 2).

Added a statement of intent section establishing four legislative goals: encouraging rehabilitation, reducing communication barriers for families, divesting the State from the for-profit prison industry, and informing policy with data and fiscal analysis.

Removed the specific requirement to evaluate contracts with Global Tel Link Corporation and the Keefe Group by January 1, 2026 (original Sec. 3).

Added a stakeholder consultation requirement mandating the DOC consult with the Public Utility Commission, Joint Fiscal Office, nonprofit telecom providers, CoreCivic, incarcerated and formerly incarcerated Vermonters, family representatives, reentry providers, justice reform organizations, and PRIN when conducting its evaluation.

Changed the effective date from July 1, 2025 to immediate upon passage. Added interim report deadlines: first draft of telecom report to the Joint Legislative Justice Oversight Committee by September 15, 2026, and updated draft by November 15, 2026.