BILL ANALYSIS

 

 

Senate Research Center                                                                                                     H.B. 2197

79R8886 RMB-D                                                                                        By: Madden (Whitmire)

                                                                                                                                   Criminal Justice

                                                                                                                                              5/1/2005

                                                                                                                                           Engrossed

 

 

AUTHOR'S/SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT

 

Current state law provides that a general description of an inmate confined by the Texas Department of Criminal Justice is public information, but does not specifically say that a photograph of an inmate is public information.  H.B. 2197 amends state law to clearly indicate that inmate photographs are public information in order to clarify that the current practice of releasing offender photographs is consistent with the Public Information Act.

 

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 Section 552.029, Government Code, to provide that a Texas Department of Criminal Justice (TDCJ) photograph of an inmate who is confined in a facility operated by or under contract with the TDCJ is subject to required disclosure under Section 552.021 (Availability of Public Information). 

 

SECTION 2.  Effective date:  upon passage or September 1, 2005.