Dear Representatives,
Today I am writing regarding SB-6286. Concerning the state’s ability to fine private detention facilities that deny entry to the department of health for an inspection. This bill is sponsored by Representatives: Tina Orwall, Yasmin Trudeau, Emily Alvarado, Mike Chapman, Steve Conway, Manka Dhingra, Noel Frame, Bob Hasegawa, Marko Liias, Liz Lovelett, T’wina Nobles, Jesse Salomon, Vandana Slatter, Derek Stanford, Javier Valdez, and Claire Wilson. The bill was first read on January 22, 2016 and sent to the Human Services Committee. On January 28 there was a public hearing in the Senate Committee on Human Services. It is scheduled for executive session in the Senate Committee on Human Services at 1:30 PM (Subject to change) on February 3.
This bill, if it is enacted will allow the department of health, in the case that it is denied access to a private detention facility to be able assess fines:
- $1000 per day for the first 30 days
- $10,000 per day for the next 30 days
- $15,000 per day until the department of health is allowed access to the building to assess the conditions of the facility
Moneys collected under this section must be deposited into the federal enforcement accountability and community repair account. Expenditures from the account may only be used for providing assistance to individuals or families with members that have been wrongfully detained and released by the court, assaulted, or killed by agents employed by the United States immigration and customs enforcement, which may include:
- Housing assistance
- Food assistance
- Legal services
- Wage replacement
- Child care assistance
- Transportation assistance
- Grants to nonprofit organizations providing services included in this section to immigrant communities
- Financial compensation
Services provided to individuals through this account are not an admission of fault by the state. This section does not create an entitlement to compensation or assistance for any individual.
After considering all of this: What can happen to someone who might be living in terrible conditions for a month or longer. I don’t like this bill. I think you can do better. I don’t want you to find a way to collect dollars. I want you to find a way to make sure you get inside of these places and make sure people are being fed, clothed and getting medical attention. I want you to make sure they have access to their lawyers. I want them to be able to call their families and even have reasonable visitation, especially if they are not violent criminals, especially if their are children present. Keep working on this bill. Please do not pass it, like it is. Many of the people in these facilities are not criminals and they are not animals. Please don’t treat them like a number.
Sincerely,
Summer D Clemenson
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