ADOPTED - MARCH 23, 1999

Agenda Item No. 9

Introduced by the Law and Courts and Finance Committees of the:

INGHAM COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS

RESOLUTION TO FORMALIZE THE NOTIFICATION PROCESS OF INMATES WITH MEDICAL CONDITIONS AND ADOPTING A POLICY TO CHARGE MUNICIPALITIES FOR THE MEDICAL COSTS OF CERTAIN INMATES AT THE INGHAM COUNTY JAIL

RESOLUTION #99-73

WHEREAS, the County Jails Act (MCL 801.4) mandates that counties are responsible for the safekeeping and maintenance of county jail inmates, as needed;

WHEREAS, under the County Jails Act (MCL 801.4a), counties may charge cities, villages, or townships in district court units other than those of the first or second class, which have jurisdiction over the offense, for the expenses associated with inmates of county jails who are charged with or convicted of violating the respective municipality's ordinances; and

WHEREAS, an informal notification process has existed whereby the Sheriff's Office has notified the appropriate District Courts of potentially high medical costs associated with a particular inmate charged with or convicted of violating the respective municipality's ordinances, and

WHEREAS, a formal notification process would be desirable to facilitate communication between the Sheriff's Office and the appropriate District Courts in these matters,

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Sheriff shall notify the appropriate court in writing or by fax of certain inmates who have potentially high cost medical cases in order that the Court may consider changes to the courts order to release an inmate on their own recognizance or suspend an inmate's sentence until after medical care has been administered.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Sheriff will make every reasonable effort to ensure that a responsible party at the court is personally notified.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Board of Commissioners requests that the Sheriff also contact the appropriate Police Department so they can provide input to the Court.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that in the event that the Court does not take action within four business hours of such written or faxed communication from the Sheriff, that the County shall bill the appropriate municipality as allowed by law for medical expenses which occur after the sending of notice by the Sheriff, on behalf of the inmate, in cases where expenses exceed $1,000.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that this policy shall apply only to an inmate who is charged with or convicted of violating a municipal ordinance as a primary offense.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Board of Commissioners may consider the waiver of such charges upon request by the Prosecutor.

ADOPTED - MARCH 23, 1999

Agenda Item No. 9

RESOLUTION #99-73

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that medical expenses billed under this policy includes but is not limited to all medical expenses related to drugs, medical supplies, hospital stays, hospital emergency room treatment, emergency dental care, x-rays and other means of diagnosis, surgery, as well as any other form of primary, emergency, specialty, or tertiary medical care that is administered outside of the premises of the County Jail, and in addition, to any expenses associated with the staff, security, and transportation which were made necessary by the provision of medical services for such an inmate will be charged to the municipality; provided however, that it shall not include expenses for medical care administered by a jail nurse or any other health professional which is administered within the premises of the County Jail.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that this policy shall apply to governmental units within Ingham County other than district court units of the first or second class which have jurisdiction of the offense shall be responsible for the medical expenses of inmates who are housed at the Ingham County Jail as a result of being charged with or convicted of violating the local ordinances of the respective cities, villages, or townships, as permitted by the County Jails Act.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Sheriff shall, on a monthly basis, provide to the Controller's Office a list of the medical expenses incurred on behalf of such inmates and the Controller shall issue, on a periodic basis, invoices to the municipality responsible for the expenses as provided by law.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that this policy shall be effective July 1, 1999.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the County Clerk shall notify the Cities of Lansing and East Lansing and the Sheriff of the adoption of this resolution and policy.

LAW & COURTS: Yeas: Grebner, Stid, Bernero, Schmidt

Nays: None Absent: Smiley, Schafer, Juall Approved 3/11/99

FINANCE: Yeas: Bernero, Grebner, Lynch, Schafer, Minter

Nays: None Absent: McDonald, Juall Approved 3/17/99