SESSION WATCH
Became law HOUSE · SESSION 2026 · CHAPTER 2026-187

No. HB 4001

Jefferson County
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SPONSOR
Tant
FILED BY
Allison Tant — District 9, Democrat [search donations]
EFFECTIVE
6/8/2026

Filed under Local Government.

PROVIDED SUMMARY

Jefferson County ; Limits compensation to health care provider that provides medical services for inmate housed in Jefferson County detention center if provider does not have contract with county to provide such services; limits compensation to entity that provides emergency medical transportation services for inmate housed in Jefferson County detention center if entity does not have contract with county to provide such services.

Full bill text →

Plain English Summary

AI-GENERATED
Caps county inmate medical and transport payments at 110-125% of Medicare rates.

Jefferson County must pay non-contracted medical providers no more than 110% of the Medicare allowable rate for inmate care. This cap applies to hospitals, physicians, and other licensed facilities.

Providers that reported a negative operating margin to the state last year face a higher 125% cap. This exception requires specific financial reporting to the Agency for Health Care Administration.

The county must also pay non-contracted emergency medical transport entities no more than 110% of the Medicare allowable rate. This includes air ambulances and ground emergency vehicles.

The law does not apply to medical services provided at a hospital operated by Jefferson County. Those charges remain uncapped under this specific act.

KEY PROVISIONS
§ 1 Cap on non-contracted medical care majors. New Section 1(3)(a)

AILimits what a hospital or doctor can bill the county for treating a Jefferson County inmate if they lack a county contract.

“compensation to a health care provider to provide medical services for an inmate housed in a Jefferson County detention center may not exceed 110 percent of the Medicare allowable” bill text, line 63 →
§ 2 Cap on non-contracted emergency transport majors. New Section 1(4)

AILimits what an ambulance or air ambulance company can bill the county for transporting a Jefferson County inmate if they lack a county contract.

“Compensation to an entity to provide emergency medical transportation services for an inmate housed in a Jefferson County detention center may not exceed 110 percent of the” bill text, line 78 →
§ 3 Higher cap for loss-making hospitals moderates. New Section 1(3)(b)

AIRaises the billing cap to 125% of the Medicare rate for non-contracted hospitals that reported a negative operating margin the previous year.

“may not exceed 125 percent of the Medicare allowable rate if the health care provider: 1. Does not have a contract with Jefferson County” bill text, line 71 →
§ 4 Exemption for county-operated hospitals moderates. New Section 1(5)

AIExempts Jefferson County from the billing caps when the inmate is treated at a hospital operated by the county itself.

“This act does not apply to charges for medical services provided at a hospital operated by Jefferson County.” bill text, line 84 →
TIMELINE
7/1/2026
Chapter No. 2026-187
6/8/2026
Approved by Governor
5/27/2026
Signed by Officers and presented to Governor
3/11/2026
Ordered enrolled
3/11/2026
In Messages
3/11/2026
Passed; YEAS 36 NAYS 0 -SJ 786
3/11/2026
Read 3rd time -SJ 786
3/11/2026
Read 2nd time -SJ 786
3/11/2026
Placed on Calendar, on 2nd reading
3/11/2026
Withdrawn from Rules -SJ 785
3/9/2026
Placed on Local Calendar, 03/11/26
2/18/2026
Received
2/12/2026
Referred to Rules
2/12/2026
In Messages
2/11/2026
Passed; YEAS 111, NAYS 0
2/11/2026
Read 3rd time
2/11/2026
Added to Third Reading Calendar
2/11/2026
Read 2nd time
2/5/2026
Bill added to Special Order Calendar (2/11/2026)
1/22/2026
Added to Second Reading Calendar
1/22/2026
Bill released to House Calendar
1/22/2026
Reported out of State Affairs Committee
1/22/2026
Favorable by State Affairs Committee
1/20/2026
Added to State Affairs Committee agenda
1/13/2026
1st Reading (Original Filed Version)
12/2/2025
Now in State Affairs Committee
12/2/2025
Reported out of Criminal Justice Subcommittee
12/2/2025
Favorable by Criminal Justice Subcommittee
11/24/2025
Added to Criminal Justice Subcommittee agenda
11/18/2025
Now in Criminal Justice Subcommittee
11/18/2025
Reported out of Intergovernmental Affairs Subcommittee
11/18/2025
Favorable by Intergovernmental Affairs Subcommittee
11/10/2025
Added to Intergovernmental Affairs Subcommittee agenda
10/1/2025
Now in Intergovernmental Affairs Subcommittee
10/1/2025
Referred to State Affairs Committee
10/1/2025
Referred to Criminal Justice Subcommittee
10/1/2025
Referred to Intergovernmental Affairs Subcommittee
9/16/2025
Filed
32 EARLIER →
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