SGN H.B. 3101 75(R)BILL ANALYSIS


CORRECTIONS
H.B. 3101
By: Jones, Jesse
4-30-97
Committee Report (Amended)

BACKGROUND 

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 to withdraw money from an inmate's trust fund to
pay for child support, restitution, fines and court costs.  

PURPOSE

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. 

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 501.014 (e), Government Code, to require the
institutional division, on notification by a court, to withdraw from an
inmate's trust fund an amount to reimburse the Texas Department of Human
Service for providing financial assistance, according to Chapter 31 of the
Human Resources Code, to a child of the inmate. 

SECTION 2:  Effective date:  September 1, 1997.

SECTION 3:  Emergency clause.

EXPLANATION OF AMENDMENTS

Committee amendment number one adds language that money be withdrawn for
reimbursement for financial assistance for the child's health needs
provided under Chapter 31, Human Resources Code.