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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to the award of good conduct time to inmates. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Section 498.003(a), Government Code, is amended |
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to read as follows: |
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(a) Good conduct time applies only to eligibility for parole |
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or mandatory supervision as provided by Section 508.145 or 508.147 |
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and does not otherwise affect an inmate's term. Good conduct time |
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is a privilege and not a right. Regardless of the classification of |
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an inmate, the department may grant good conduct time to the inmate |
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only if the department finds that the inmate: |
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(1) is actively engaged in an agricultural, |
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vocational, or educational endeavor, in an industrial program or |
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other work program, or in a treatment program, unless the |
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department finds that the inmate is not capable of participating in |
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such a program or endeavor; or |
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(2) regularly attends religious services or studies |
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religious texts. |
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SECTION 2. The change in law made by this Act applies to a |
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person who is confined in a facility operated by or under contract |
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with the Texas Department of Criminal Justice on or after the |
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effective date of this Act, regardless of whether the offense for |
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which the person is confined occurred before, on, or after the |
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effective date of this Act. |
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SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2025. |