Enrolled Bill Summary

            House Bill 1318 amends the Government Code to require the Texas Department of Criminal Justice, rather than the institutional division, to retain inmates' money in accounts provided for them. The act adds to the list of items for which the department may withdraw money from an inmate's account to include reimbursement for indigent supplies, medical copayments, destruction of state property, or other indebtedness. The act further authorizes the department, on an inmate's death and receipt of a notarized claim, to disburse up to $2,500 of the inmate's funds to a claimant. A claim for more than $2,500 must be filed under the applicable provisions of the Probate Code. The act also provides that an inmate who escapes or attempts to escape forfeits all money held in the account at that time.