Eliminates fee on electronic transfer of funds into incarcerated persons' accounts; makes appropriation.

2026-2027 Regular Session

Eliminates any electronic transfer fees to inmate funds, ensuring funds reach inmate accounts without the charged fees.

Summary of Bill A 5319 (New Jersey, 222nd Legislature)

Purpose and intent

Aims to eliminate the fee charged for electronic transfers of funds into incarcerated individuals’ inmate accounts.

Includes an appropriation to support the bill’s provisions and implementation.

Key provisions and changes

Prohibition of transfer fee: Repeals or prevents imposition of any fee by a financial transaction service or correctional facility for electronically transferring funds into an incarcerated person’s inmate trust fund or related account.

Applicability: Applies to electronic transfers of funds (e.g., inmate trust accounts) used to purchase items, commissary goods, or services within correctional facilities.

Appropriation: Allocates state funds to support the enforcement, administration, or implementation of the fee elimination, which may cover administrative costs, technology updates, and related program operations.

Implementation framework: Establishes the mechanism by which institutions and service providers must process electronic transfers without the previously imposed fee, including timelines or guidance for compliance.

Who/what is affected

Incarcerated individuals: Benefit from the removal of fees that reduce the amount of funds received or available for commissary purchases.

Families and friends who send funds: Reduced burden, as they would no longer incur transfer fees when funding inmate accounts.

Correctional facilities and service providers: Must adjust policies and billing practices to stop charging the transfer fee; may incur or be reimbursed for administrative costs under the new appropriation.

State government: Responsible for distributing and managing the appropriated funds to support implementation and ongoing operations.

Procedural and timeline aspects

Legislative action: The bill would need to be enacted into law, with any specified effective date for eliminating the fee.

Implementation timeline: Likely includes a phase-in or immediate start date for removing the fee, along with any required reporting or compliance deadlines.

Oversight and reporting: The appropriation may carry reporting requirements to demonstrate fiscal impact, savings to families, and compliance by facilities and vendors.

Potential impact and considerations

Financial impact on families: Eliminating fees could result in increased funds available for inmate use or reduced cost to those sending money.

Administrative considerations: Facilities and payment processors may need to update systems and vendor contracts; the appropriation could offset related transition costs.

Equity and access: The measure aligns with improving access to funds for inmates and their families, potentially reducing disparities tied to ability to pay transfer fees.

Note: This summary is based on the bill’s title and stated objective. For precise language, definitions, effective dates, funding amounts, and any conditions or exceptions, please refer to the official bill text and fiscal notes.