88R20051 MCF-D
 
  By: J. Johnson of Harris, Romero, Jr. H.B. No. 1435
 
  Substitute the following for H.B. No. 1435:
 
  By:  Tinderholt C.S.H.B. No. 1435
 
 
 
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 
AN ACT
  relating to family liaison officers in county jails.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  Chapter 511, Government Code, is amended by
  adding Section 511.024 to read as follows:
         Sec. 511.024.  FAMILY LIAISON OFFICER. (a)  The commission
  shall require the sheriff of a county to designate at least one
  employee at the county jail to serve as a family liaison officer for
  the jail to facilitate communication between prisoners and their
  families.
         (b)  In making a designation under Subsection (a), the
  sheriff shall give preference to current employees with experience
  in social work, psychology, or a related field.
         (c)  A family liaison officer shall:
               (1)  on request, provide prisoners' families with
  information about the classification status, confinement status,
  and health of prisoners at the county jail;
               (2)  notify prisoners' families within a reasonable
  time about emergencies involving prisoners, such as a medical
  emergency or death; and
               (3)  notify prisoners within a reasonable time about
  emergencies involving their families, such as a medical emergency
  or death in the family, and provide prisoners with other necessary
  information relating to their families.
         (d)  A family liaison officer may not disclose information
  under Subsection (c) about a prisoner's health unless the prisoner
  has authorized the release of the prisoner's medical information to
  that family member.
         SECTION 2.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2023.