Title: Treatment of Inmates

Summary: Specifies certain rights of inmates in state correctional system; requires written copy of rights to be provided to each inmate; authorizes relief for deprivation of rights.

Full Text:
An act relating to the treatment of inmates; creating s. 944.092, F.S.; specifying certain rights of inmates in the state correctional system; requiring a written copy of the rights to be provided to each inmate; authorizing relief for deprivation of rights; providing an effective date. Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Florida: Section 1. Section 944.092, Florida Statutes, is create dto read: 944.092 Basic rights of inmates.-(1) Each inmate in the correctional system has the right to: (a) Proper ventilation. All housing units must have air conditioning systems or air cooling systems; however, housing units in use on or before July 1, 2021, which cannot be fitted for air conditioning or air cooling systems shall receive exhaust and air circulators sufficient to provide a safe and healthful environment for inmates. (b) Sufficient meal time. Inmates must receive a minimum of minutes to eat each meal. The minimum time shall be extended to the amount necessary for an inmate to complete the meal if the inmate receives an approved medical reason for an HB 2021 extension. (c) Adequate food supply in case of emergency. Each correctional i nstitution shall establish a program with one or more community food banks located near the institution to ensure adequate food supply is made available to the inmate population when and if conditions exist that prevent regular food supply services in the event of a natural disaster or other emergency. (d) Necessary heath supplies. The department must provide: 1. Necessary personal protective equipment for medical staff at all times and for all staff and inmates during health crises or during any cleani ng. 2. Necessary health products for inmates including, but not limited to, sanitary napkins, tampons, soap, and toothpaste, upon request of inmates. (2) The department shall provide a written copy of the rights established in this section to each inma te upon his or her entry in to the correctional system. (3) An inmate may file a grievance with the department if the inmate believes a right guaranteed in this section is denied by a correctional institution. Section 2. This act shall take effect July 1, 2021.