SRC-TJG, LBB H.B. 28 78(R)   BILL ANALYSIS


Senate Research Center   H.B. 28
By: Hodge (Whitmire)
Criminal Justice
5/18/2003
Engrossed


DIGEST AND PURPOSE 

Under current law, the state jail division of the Texas Department of
Criminal Justice is required to develop work programs and programs for
rehabilitation, education, and recreation. However, Chapter 507 of the
Government Code does not give direction as to the use of volunteers to
assist with rehabilitation and education of state jail offenders.
Volunteer hours and resources come at no cost to the state and can be an
integral part of rehabilitation of offenders. H.B. 28 requires the state
jail division of the Texas Department of Criminal Justice to allow capable
offenders to tutor functionally illiterate offenders and to actively
encourage volunteer organizations to assist with rehabilitative services.
  
RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

This bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to
a state officer, institution, or agency. 

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1.  Amends Subchapter B, Chapter 507, Government Code, by adding
Section 507.033, as follows: 

Sec. 507.033.  REHABILITATION PROGRAMS. (a) Authorizes the state jail
division to allow a defendant who is capable of serving as a tutor to
tutor functionally illiterate defendants and requires the state jail
division to actively encouraging volunteer organizations to aid in the
tutoring of defendants.  Authorizes a person who acts as a tutor to
function only as a teacher and advisor to a defendant and  not to exercise
supervisory authority or control over the defendant. 

(b)  Requires the state jail division to actively encourage volunteer
organizations to provide certain programs for defendants who are housed in
facilities operated by or under contract with the division. 
  
SECTION 2.  Effective date:  upon passage or September 1, 2003.