REIMBURSEMENT TO CITIES FOR PRISONERS' JAIL EXPENSES
House Bill 4123
Sponsor: Rep. Raymond Basham
Committee: Criminal Justice
Complete to 3-12-01
A SUMMARY OF HOUSE BILL 4123 AS INTRODUCED 1-31-01
Currently, under Public Act 14 of 1982, cities may be reimbursed for prisoners' medical supplies and treatment incurred while they are incarcerated in city jails. House Bill 4123 would add a new section to the act to allow a city to file a civil action to seek reimbursement from a person for the maintenance and support of that person while serving a jail term or while incarcerated in jail as a pretrial detainee on a charge, or charges, that result in a conviction.
The bill would require that a civil action brought under the provisions of the bill be instituted in the name of the city in which the jail was located, and state the date, place, length of time the person was incarcerated, the reason for the person's incarceration, and the amount due to the city. The court could also enter a money judgment against the person and could order that the person's property be subject to attachment for reimbursement of expenses reimbursable under the provisions of the bill.
Before filing an action to recover expenses, a city would have to take into consideration any legal or moral obligation the person had to support a spouse, minor children, or other dependents. In addition, before entering an order on behalf of a city against that person, the court would have to consider those factors.
MCL 801.302
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This analysis was prepared by nonpartisan House staff for use by House members in their deliberations, and does not constitute an official statement of legislative intent.