SRC-JJJ H.B. 2469 76(R)   BILL ANALYSIS


Senate Research Center   H.B. 2469
76R10114 GWK-FBy: Ramsay (Shapiro)
Criminal Justice
5/11/1999
Engrossed


DIGEST 

Currently, the laws affecting jails differentiate between existing and new
facilities.  H.B. 2469 would clarify issues affecting new construction and
is consistent with past interpretation of statutes as standards for new
construction were promulgated.   

PURPOSE

As proposed, H.B. 2469 establishes conditions regarding facilities
requirements for county jails. 

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 Sections 351.007(a) and (b), Local Government Code, to
require a county jail cell designed for one person to have a clear floor
area of 40 square feet or more.  Requires any other housing area or day
room, rather than cell, compartment, or dormitory, in a county jail to have
a clear floor area of 18 square feet or more for each prisoner to be
confined in the area or room.  Deletes text regarding a safety vestibule.   

SECTION 2.  Amends Section 351.011(b), Local Government Code, to make
conforming changes. 

SECTION 3.  Amends Section 351.012(a), Local Government Code, to require
certain conditions to exist for a day room designed in a county jail for
three or more prisoners, including specific requirements for every eight
prisoners confined in a room.  Makes a nonsubstantive change.   

SECTION 4.  Amends Section 351.014(d), Local Government Code, to delete
text regarding a requirement for a hammock.  Makes conforming changes. 

SECTION 5.  Amends Section 351.101, Local Government Code, to delete text
regarding low risk county inmates. 

SECTION 6.  Makes application of this Act prospective to a county jail
whose initial construction was begun on or before December 23, 1976. 

SECTION 7.  Effective date: September 1, 1999.

SECTION 8.  Emergency clause.