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H.B. No. 1660
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) The Commission on Jail Standards shall include in the
report submitted under Subsection (a) information stating by
county:
(1) the number of suicides committed by inmates
confined in the county jail;
(2) the number of assaults committed against inmates
confined in the county jail;
(3) the number of assaults committed by inmates
confined in the county jail against the sheriff or an officer or
employee of the county jail;
(4) the number of lawsuits filed against the county as
a result of suicides and assaults;
(5) the costs incurred by the county in defending
those lawsuits; and
(6) the judgments awarded against the county in those
lawsuits.
(c) This section expires December 2, 2004.
SECTION 2. This Act takes effect September 1, 2003.
______________________________ ______________________________
President of the Senate Speaker of the House
I certify that H.B. No. 1660 was passed by the House on May
16, 2003, by a non-record vote; and that the House concurred in
Senate amendments to H.B. No. 1660 on May 30, 2003, by a non-record
vote.
______________________________
Chief Clerk of the House
I certify that H.B. No. 1660 was passed by the Senate, with
amendments, on May 28, 2003, by the following vote: Yeas 31, Nays
0.
______________________________
Secretary of the Senate
APPROVED: __________________
Date
__________________
Governor