HB 363

Under existing law, the sheriff of a county must provide certain items, at the expense of the county, to prisoners who are unable to provide those items for themselves and all prisoners in a state penitentiary must be provided clothing during their imprisonment

This bill would further require the sheriff and the Department of Corrections to provide feminine hygiene products for all female prisoners who are unable to provide them for themselves under certain conditions

To amend Sections 14-3-44 and 14-6-19 of the Code of Alabama 1975, relating to items required to be provided to prisoners in a county jail or a state penitentiary; to further require the sheriff and the Department of Corrections to provide feminine hygiene products to female prisoners under certain conditions.

Section 1

Sections 14-3-44 and 14-6-19 of the Code of Alabama 1975, are amended to read as follows:

§14-3-44.

(a) All convicts prisoners must be clothed during the term of their imprisonment in a comfortable manner in coarse and cheap clothing made in a uniform and peculiar style so as to distinguish them from other persons.

(b) The Department of Corrections shall provide feminine hygiene products to female prisoners who are unable to provide them for themselves, at the expense of the department, as soon as is practicable, upon request by the female prisoner.

§14-6-19.

Necessary clothing and bedding must be furnished by the sheriff or jailer, at the expense of the county, to those prisoners who are unable to provide them for themselves, and also necessary medicines and medical attention to those who are sick or injured, when they are unable to provide them for themselves. The sheriff of a county shall provide to those prisoners who are unable to provide them for themselves, at the expense of the county, all of the following:

(1) Necessary clothing and bedding.

(2) Necessary medicine and medical attention to those prisoners who are sick or injured.

(3) Feminine hygiene products to female prisoners, as soon as is practicable, upon request by the female prisoner."

Section 2

This act shall become effective immediately following its passage and approval by the Governor, or its otherwise becoming law.