By:  Hodge                                                        H.B. No. 28 


A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to rehabilitation programs for defendants housed in state jail felony facilities. BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: SECTION 1. Subchapter B, Chapter 507, Government Code, is amended by adding Section 507.033 to read as follows: Sec. 507.033. REHABILITATION PROGRAMS. (a) The state jail division may allow a defendant who is capable of serving as a tutor to tutor functionally illiterate defendants and shall actively encourage volunteer organizations to aid in the tutoring of defendants. A person who acts as a tutor may function only as a teacher and advisor to a defendant and may not exercise supervisory authority or control over the defendant. (b) The state jail division shall actively encourage volunteer organizations to provide the following programs for defendants who are housed in facilities operated by or under contract with the division: (1) literacy and education programs; (2) life skills programs; (3) job skills programs; (4) parent-training programs; (5) drug and alcohol rehabilitation programs; (6) support group programs; (7) arts and crafts programs; and (8) other programs determined by the division to aid defendants confined in state jail felony facilities in the transition from confinement or supervision back into society and to reduce incidents of recidivism among defendants. SECTION 2. This Act takes effect immediately if it receives a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution. If this Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this Act takes effect September 1, 2003.