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HB 3713

CD CORR-COMMITTED PERSON MAIL

104th Regular Session Introduced by Mary Beth Canty and 6 co-sponsors

HB 3713 requires the DOC to allow committed persons to receive original, physical mail unless clear danger is shown, plus public reporting on mail screening.

House Floor Amendment No. 1 Rule 19(c) / Re-referred to Rules Committee
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Bill Summary · HB 3713

Summary — HB 3713 (CD CORR‑COMMITTED PERSON MAIL) — Rep. Laura Faver Dias

Status: Introduced Mar 4, 2025; House Floor Amendment No. 1 filed Mar 19, 2025; re‑referred to Rules Committee (Rule 19(c)) Apr 11, 2025. Amended version reported to Calendars Apr 28, 2025. Amending statute: 730 ILCS 5/3‑7‑2 (Unified Code of Corrections — Facilities).

Purpose / Intent

HB 3713 revises inmate mail, communication, and visitation rules in the Department of Corrections (DOC). It is intended to (1) guarantee committed persons receive original, physical copies of mail they are entitled to receive; (2) limit when the DOC may withhold original mail by requiring specific evidence of safety risks; (3) increase transparency about mail screening that finds contraband or hazardous material; and (4) protect and expand communication access between incarcerated persons and outside supports.

Key provisions

  • Receipt of original physical mail
    • DOC must permit every committed person to receive the original, physical copy of any mail addressed to them that they are entitled to receive.
    • Defines “original, physical copy” as a letter, card, or document delivered by USPS or another delivery service (excludes scanned/photocopied duplicates unless the facility contracts to provide scanning).
  • Limitations and evidentiary standard for exceptions
    • Exceptions (i.e., withholding or denying delivery of original mail) are allowed only when evidence shows complying would present a “clear and present danger” to the health or safety of correctional staff or committed persons.
    • Required evidence may include: proof contraband was sent through the mail; counts of mail items with contraband; test results from mail tested for suspected drugs/hazards; locations within facilities where contraband was found; and methods of contraband entry.
    • Such evidence must be made available to the public on request; the bill also requires certain reporting and public posting (see below).
  • Reporting and transparency
    • Beginning July 1, 2026, DOC must collect and publish data about original mail deemed a threat: number of pieces by facility, type of threat, and test types/results when mail is tested for hazardous or illegal substances.
    • Department policies and any changes concerning communications must be posted publicly (prior to implementation) and certain evidence must be posted quarterly.
  • Communications and visitation protections
    • No committed person may be denied or have communications limited with an outside support person (phone, mail, video, or in‑person visitation) as a result of a disciplinary sanction or grade level of the infraction.
    • Committed persons may contact outside supports via phone, mail, video, or electronic message free of charge.
    • Visitation rules retained/clarified: entitlement to 7 visits/month; may submit a list of at least 30 authorized visitors (kept electronically). DOC must publish facility visitation policies and post daily visitation restrictions for the current and following three calendar days (including lockdowns).
    • DOC may not restrict in‑person visits solely due to availability of interactive/video conferencing.

Who is affected

  • Primary: committed persons (people incarcerated in Illinois Department of Corrections facilities).
  • DOC operations and staff: mail screening, testing, reporting, and visitation administration.
  • Families, outside support persons, and mail/delivery services.
  • Potentially public health/law enforcement entities if hazardous mail is detected.

Timeline / Legislative status highlights

  • Introduced: 02/18/2025 (1st reading 02/18/2025; filed 03/04/2025)
  • House Floor Amendment No. 1 filed: 03/19/2025 (sponsor Rep. Laura Faver Dias)
  • Committee actions: Assigned to Judiciary — Criminal; subcommittee hearings in April 2025; reported favorably; report sent to Calendars 04/28/2025.
  • Current procedural posture: House Floor Amendment No. 1 re‑referred to Rules Committee (04/11/2025).

Potential impacts and considerations

  • Transparency: increased public reporting on mail screening and contraband could improve oversight.
  • Operational impact: testing mail for contraband/hazards, maintaining reports, and providing free communications may increase DOC costs and require new procedures and staffing.
  • Safety tradeoffs: raising the evidentiary bar for withholding original mail may limit DOC discretion; DOC would need to document and publish specific evidence to justify withholding mail.
  • Legal and administrative clarity: definitions (e.g., “original, physical copy”) and requirements to post policies publicly aim to reduce ad hoc denials but may prompt disputes over what evidence suffices for an exception.

Sponsors / Co‑sponsors (selected)

  • Chief Co‑sponsor changed to: Rep. Kelly M. Cassidy
  • Sponsor: Rep. Laura Faver Dias
  • Other co‑sponsors added March–April 2025: Reps. Will Guzzardi, Camille Y. Lilly, Nicolle Grasse, Mary Beth Canty, Kevin John Olickal, Edgar González, Jr.

For more detail, see the bill text amending 730 ILCS 5/3‑7‑2 and the House amendment (House Amendment 001) filed Mar 19, 2025.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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