SRC-HRD H.B. 3101 75(R) BILL ANALYSIS Senate Research Center H.B. 3101 By: Jones (Carona) Jurisprudence 5-13-97 Engrossed DIGEST While serving a prison sentence, inmates are often unable to provide their families with the basic needs. As a result, the state may be called upon to serve those needs through financial assistance and service programs administered through Chapter 31, Human Resources Code. Currently, Section 501.014(e) of the Government Code permits a court to order the institutional division of the Department of Criminal Justice to withdraw money from an inmate's trust fund to pay for child support, restitution, fines and court costs. H.B. 3101 would amend Section 501.014 of the Government Code to allow a court to require the withdrawal of money from an inmate's trust fund account to reimburse the Texas Department of Human Services for financial assistance provided under Chapter 31 of the Human Resource Code to a child of the inmate. PURPOSE As proposed, H.B. 3101 amends Section 501.014 of the Government Code to allow a court to require the withdrawal of money from an inmate's trust fund account to reimburse the Texas Department of Human Services for financial assistance provided under Chapter 31 of the Human Resource Code to a child of the inmate. RULEMAKING AUTHORITY This bill does not grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, institution, or agency. SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS SECTION 1. Amends Section 501.014(e), Government Code, to require, upon notification by a court, the institutional division of the Department of Criminal Justice to withdraw from an inmate's trust any amount the inmate is ordered to apply by order of the court for child support, restitution, reimbursement for financial assistance provided for the child's health needs under Chapter 31, Human Resources Code, to a child of the inmate, fines, and court costs. Sets forth the schedule of priorities regarding withdrawals and payments from an inmate's trust fund. Makes conforming changes. SECTION 2. Effective date: September 1, 1997. SECTION 3. Emergency clause.