78R15030 PEP-D


By:  Flores                                                       H.B. No. 1660



A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to a report to the legislature regarding the installation 
and operation of video camera surveillance systems in county jails.
	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:                        
	SECTION 1.  Subchapter A, Chapter 351, Local Government 
Code, is amended by adding Section 351.016 to read as follows:
	Sec. 351.016.  REPORT TO LEGISLATURE ON VIDEO CAMERA 
SURVEILLANCE SYSTEMS.  (a)  Not later than December 1, 2004, the 
Commission on Jail Standards shall submit to the presiding officer 
of each house of the legislature and to the presiding officer of the 
standing committee of the house of representatives having primary 
jurisdiction over county affairs a report that describes:
		(1)  the feasibility of installing and operating in 
county jails video camera surveillance systems that record video 
images in each jail corridor, solitary confinement cell, suicide 
watch cell, kitchen, and dining area or other common area;
		(2)  the probability and nature of changes in 
technology affecting the installation and operation of systems 
described by Subdivision (1);
		(3)  potential sources of revenue available to counties 
to pay for video camera surveillance systems, including jail 
commissary proceeds and possible increases in court costs;
		(4)  areas in county jails not described by Subdivision 
(1) that nonetheless should be monitored by surveillance systems; 
and
		(5)  the feasibility of implementing and using other 
cost-effective means to address the issues presenting an apparent 
need for video camera surveillance systems, such as:
			(A)  a system ensuring that medical records 
accompany inmates at each stage of incarceration;
			(B)  a system of separating inmates according to 
offense seriousness;
			(C)  a program to identify inmates with illnesses 
or with suicidal tendencies; and
			(D)  a program to provide individual counseling to 
inmates on their admission to jail.
	(b)  This section expires December 2, 2004.                             
	SECTION 2.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2003.