Brief Description: Requiring jail booking fees to be based on actual costs.

Sponsors: Representatives Kirby, Carrell and Flannigan.

Hearing Date: 2/4/03

Staff: Yvonne Walker (786-7841).

Background:

Municipalities and counties are authorized to require any person who is booked in a county or municipal jail to pay a $10 booking fee to the sheriff's department or police chief's department where the jail is located. The person may pay the booking fee from any money currently in his or her possession. If the person does not have any money in his or her current possession, then the sheriff must notify the court for assessment of the fee. If the defendant is acquitted, not charged, or if the charges are dismissed, then the sheriff or police chief must return the booking fee to the defendant at the last known address in the booking records.

Summary of Bill:

Municipalities and counties are authorized to require any person who is booked in a county or municipal jail to pay the actual cost incurred for his or her booking as opposed to a flat $10 booking fee.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Available.

Effective Date: The bill takes effect ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.