Florida Senate - 2023                                     SB 572
       
       
        
       By Senator Powell
       
       
       
       
       
       24-00819-23                                            2023572__
    1                        A bill to be entitled                      
    2         An act relating to the treatment of inmates; creating
    3         s. 944.092, F.S.; specifying certain rights of inmates
    4         in the correctional system; requiring that a written
    5         copy of the rights be provided to each inmate;
    6         authorizing inmates to file grievances with the
    7         Department of Corrections if certain rights are denied
    8         them; providing an effective date.
    9          
   10  Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Florida:
   11  
   12         Section 1. Section 944.092, Florida Statutes, is created to
   13  read:
   14         944.092 Basic rights of inmates.—
   15         (1) RIGHTS.—Each inmate in the correctional system has the
   16  right to:
   17         (a) Proper ventilation.—All housing units must have air
   18  conditioning systems or air cooling systems; however, housing
   19  units in use on or before July 1, 2023, which cannot be fitted
   20  for air conditioning or air cooling systems shall receive
   21  exhaust fans and air circulators sufficient to provide a safe
   22  and healthful environment for inmates.
   23         (b) Sufficient meal time.—Inmates must receive at least 20
   24  minutes to eat each meal. The minimum time shall be extended to
   25  the amount necessary for an inmate to complete the meal if the
   26  inmate receives an approved medical reason for an extension.
   27         (c) Adequate food supply in case of emergency.—Each
   28  correctional institution shall establish a program with one or
   29  more community food banks located near the institution to ensure
   30  an adequate food supply is made available to the inmate
   31  population if conditions exist that prevent regular food supply
   32  services due to an event such as a natural disaster or other
   33  emergency.
   34         (d) Necessary health supplies.—The department must provide:
   35         1. Necessary personal protective equipment for medical
   36  staff at all times and for all staff and inmates during health
   37  crises or during cleaning.
   38         2. Necessary health products for inmates, including, but
   39  not limited to, sanitary napkins, tampons, soap, and toothpaste,
   40  upon request of the inmates.
   41         (e) Medical care.—The department must provide inmates with
   42  adequate medical care for their medical needs.
   43         (2) NOTICE.—The department shall provide a written copy of
   44  the rights established in this section to each inmate upon his
   45  or her entry into the correctional system.
   46         (3) GRIEVANCES.—An inmate may file a grievance with the
   47  department if the inmate believes a right guaranteed in this
   48  section is being denied by a state correctional institution.
   49         Section 2. This act shall take effect July 1, 2023.