By West, Culberson, Cuellar, et al. H.B. No. 244 76R2301 GWK-D A BILL TO BE ENTITLED 1-1 AN ACT 1-2 relating to a requirement that inmates of the Texas Department of 1-3 Criminal Justice participate in work and educational programs. 1-4 BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: 1-5 SECTION 1. Subchapter E, Chapter 497, Government Code, is 1-6 amended by adding Section 497.099 to read as follows: 1-7 Sec. 497.099. PARTICIPATION IN WORK PROGRAM REQUIRED. The 1-8 department shall require each inmate to work in an agricultural, 1-9 industrial, or other work program, to the extent that the inmate is 1-10 physically and mentally capable of working. The department may 1-11 waive the work requirement for an inmate as necessary to maintain 1-12 security. 1-13 SECTION 2. Subchapter A, Chapter 501, Government Code, is 1-14 amended by adding Section 501.0051 to read as follows: 1-15 Sec. 501.0051. EDUCATION REQUIRED. (a) The department shall 1-16 require an inmate who does not hold a high school diploma or 1-17 general equivalency certificate to participate in available 1-18 educational programming designed to help the inmate to earn a 1-19 general equivalency certificate. 1-20 (b) This section does not apply to an inmate confined on 1-21 death row or confined in administrative segregation or close 1-22 custody. The department may waive the educational requirement 1-23 imposed by this section on an inmate if the department determines 1-24 that the inmate lacks the learning ability to earn a certificate. 2-1 (c) The department may limit participation in an educational 2-2 program based on the capacity of the program and may assign inmates 2-3 to participate on the basis of the inmates' release dates, using 2-4 the department's individualized treatment plans. 2-5 SECTION 3. Section 497.090, Government Code, is repealed. 2-6 SECTION 4. The importance of this legislation and the 2-7 crowded condition of the calendars in both houses create an 2-8 emergency and an imperative public necessity that the 2-9 constitutional rule requiring bills to be read on three several 2-10 days in each house be suspended, and this rule is hereby suspended, 2-11 and that this Act take effect and be in force from and after its 2-12 passage, and it is so enacted.