By Hopson                                             H.B. No. 1314
         77R4588 GWK-D                           
                                A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 1-1                                   AN ACT
 1-2     relating to a requirement that certain inmates participate in
 1-3     treatment programs as a condition of earning good conduct time.
 1-4           BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
 1-5           SECTION 1. Section 498.003(a), Government Code, is amended to
 1-6     read as follows:
 1-7           (a)  Good conduct time applies only to eligibility for parole
 1-8     or mandatory supervision as provided by Section 508.145 or 508.147
 1-9     and does not otherwise affect an inmate's term.  Good conduct time
1-10     is a privilege and not a right.  Regardless of the classification
1-11     of an inmate, the department may grant good conduct time to the
1-12     inmate only if the department finds that the inmate is actively
1-13     engaged in:
1-14                 (1)  an agricultural, vocational, or educational
1-15     endeavor, or in an industrial program or other work program[, or in
1-16     a treatment program], unless the department determines [finds that]
1-17     the inmate is not capable of participating in such a program or
1-18     endeavor; and
1-19                 (2)  a treatment program, if required by law or
1-20     department policy, unless the department determines the inmate is
1-21     not capable of participating in the program.
1-22           SECTION 2. (a)  The change in law made by this Act applies
1-23     only to the accrual of good conduct for time served on or after the
1-24     effective date of this Act.
 2-1           (b)  The accrual of good conduct time for time served before
 2-2     the effective date of this Act is covered by the law in effect when
 2-3     the time was served, and the former law is continued in effect for
 2-4     that purpose.
 2-5           SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2001.