Amend the bill by striking out everything after the enacting clause and inserting the following:
‘Sec. 1. 30-A MRSA §1556-A is enacted to read:
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 amendment, which is the majority report of the committee, replaces the bill, which is a concept draft. It 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 amendment 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 amendment 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.