2025 SESSION

INTRODUCED

25104461D

HOUSE BILL NO. 1894

Offered January 13, 2025

Prefiled January 6, 2025

A BILL to amend the Code of Virginia by adding in Article 1 of Chapter 1 of Title 53.1 a section numbered 53.1-1.3, relating to state correctional facilities; cell conditions; temperature monitoring.

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Patrons—Seibold, Helmer, Laufer, Price, Clark, Cole, Convirs-Fowler, Cousins, Feggans, Glass, Henson, Hope, Jones, Keys-Gamarra, LeVere Bolling, Martinez, Rasoul and Shin; Senators: Favola and Salim

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Referred to Committee on Public Safety

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Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:

1. That the Code of Virginia is amended by adding in Article 1 of Chapter 1 of Title 53.1 a section numbered 53.1-1.3 as follows:

§ 53.1-1.3. Cell conditions; temperature monitoring.

The Department shall require that heat and air conditioning be provided in all state correctional facilities so that a temperature of not less than 65 degrees Fahrenheit or more than 80 degrees Fahrenheit is maintained in each facility. The Department shall require the temperature inside all state correctional facilities to be monitored and recorded on an ongoing basis by measuring the temperature inside individual cells where inmates are housed. If the temperature falls below 65 degrees Fahrenheit in any cell, the state correctional facility shall provide additional heating measures, such as individual heaters. If the temperature exceeds 80 degrees Fahrenheit in any cell, the state correctional facility shall supply an electric fan to provide air circulation for every cell where an inmate is housed.