The Families Over Fees Act of 2024 aims to protect incarcerated individuals and their families from excessive and hidden fees charged by companies doing business in correctional facilities. The bill requires companies providing goods or services to incarcerated people to clearly display all mandatory fees upfront in advertisements and at the point of sale, and prohibits them from charging fees that are unreasonably high compared to similar services offered outside prisons. The Federal Trade Commission would enforce the law as an unfair or deceptive practice, while states and individuals harmed by violations could also sue for damages and other remedies. The bill gives consumers a four-year window to file lawsuits and prohibits companies from forcing disputes into secret arbitration or preventing class action lawsuits. The legislation covers services provided in jails, prisons, immigration detention centers, juvenile detention facilities, and other correctional settings.
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