BILL ANALYSIS

Corrections Committee

By: Goolsby
04-18-95
Committee Report (Amended)

BACKGROUND

Before a prisoner is released on parole or mandatory supervision in
Texas, the pardons and paroles division is required to send
notification to the victims, or persons close to a victim, of the
prisoner's upcoming release.  A person is entitled to this
notification if they filed a victim impact statement, or a request
for notification of a parole consideration, with the pardons and
paroles division.

PURPOSE

H.B. 30 would require notification to a victim of a prisoner's
release on parole or mandatory supervision be mailed 30 days prior
to release, and sent by certified mail, return receipt requested. 
The bill would also require the institutional division to not
release a prisoner until the notification to the victim has been
verified.

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly
grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer,
department, agency or institution.

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1:  Amends Section 8(f)(3), Article 42.18, Code of Criminal
Procedure, by requiring the pardons and paroles division to notify
the appropriate victims of a prisoner being released on parole or
mandatory supervision 30 days prior to the release, and that the
notification be sent by registered mail, return receipt requested. 
The institutional division may not release the prisoner until the
notification to the victim has been verified.

SECTION 2:  Effective date:  September 1, 1995.

SECTION 3:  Emergency clause.

EXPLANATION OF AMENDMENTS

The proposed committee amendment changes the type of mail to be
used to notify the victim from "registered" to "certified."

SUMMARY OF COMMITTEE ACTION

H.B. 30 was considered by the Committee on Corrections in a public
hearing on March 7, 1995.  The Chair recognized Representative
Goolsby to explain the bill.

The Chair recognized the following person to testify neutrally on
the bill:
     James A. Collins, representing the Texas Department of
     Criminal Justice.

The bill was left pending.

H.B. 30 was considered by the committee in a public hearing on
April 18, 1995.  The committee considered one amendment to the
bill.  The amendment was adopted without objection.  The bill was
reported favorably, as amended, with the recommendation that it do
pass and be printed, by a record vote of 6 ayes, 0 nays, 0 pnv, and
3 absent.