Section 85 No Cost Calls 2

(a) Notwithstanding any general or special law to the contrary, no voice communication services contract in force on the effective date of this act shall be affected by section 87A of chapter 127 of the General Laws, as inserted by section 50; provided, however, that voice communication services shall be free of charge to the person initiating and the person receiving the communication beginning on July 1, 2023; provided further, that other communication services offered pursuant to said section 87A of said chapter 127, including, but not limited to, video and electronic communication services, shall be offered free of charge to the person initiating and the person receiving the communication beginning on July 1, 2023.

(b) Notwithstanding any general or special law to the contrary, upon the expiration of any contract for voice communication services, the department of correction and the sheriffs shall seek to maximize purchasing power and consolidate contracts to the extent feasible; provided, that not later than January 1, 2024, the department of correction and the sheriffs shall report to the house and senate committees on ways and means and the joint committee on the judiciary on the status of any communication services contracts and plans to consolidate contracts to maximize purchasing power for voice communication services.

(c) Notwithstanding any general or special law to the contrary, any financial incentive received in connection with a voice communication services or other communication services contract, including, but not limited to, a commission, shall revert to the General Fund.