August 20, 2026
Ms. Meng (for herself, Ms. Clarke of New York, Ms. Kamlager-Dove, Ms. Norton, Ms. Velázquez, and Mrs. Watson Coleman) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on the Judiciary
To authorize the Director of the Bureau of Prisons to provide postage stamps to indigent inmates.
Section 1. Short title
This Act may be cited as the Stamps for Staying Connected Act of 2026
.
Sec. 2. Provision of postage stamps by Director of the Bureau of Prisons
(a) In general
Beginning on the date that is not later than 6 months after the date of enactment of this Act, the Director of the Bureau of Prisons of the Department of Justice (hereinafter referred to as the Director
) shall, to the extent provided in advance in annual appropriations Acts, provide postage stamps to any inmate who has neither funds nor sufficient postage and who wishes to mail any matter (including any mail pertaining to a legal proceeding and any other mail).
(b) Restrictions
The Director shall impose such restrictions as the Director may determine appropriate on the provision of postage stamps under subsection (a) to prevent abuse, including the accumulation of stamps for unauthorized exchanges between inmates. Such restrictions may include the following:
(1)
The Director may not provide more than 5 stamps each week to an inmate, and such stamps may not be collected after the week they are made available. The limitation under this paragraph does not apply in the case of any stamp for mail pertaining to a legal proceeding or an administrative remedy filing.
(2)
The stamps provided may only be in the denomination for first-class, domestic, 1-ounce mailing.