By: Hodge, et al. (Senate Sponsor - Hinojosa) H.B. No. 47

(In the Senate - Received from the House May 10, 2007; May 14, 2007, read first time and referred to Committee on Criminal Justice; May 18, 2007, reported favorably by the following vote: Yeas 5, Nays 0; May 18, 2007, sent to printer.)

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to the provision of educational services to certain inmates imprisoned in the institutional division of the Texas Department of Criminal Justice.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:

SECTION 1. Subchapter A, Chapter 501, Government Code, is amended by adding Section 501.020 to read as follows:

Sec. 501.020. IN-CELL EDUCATION. The department may establish a policy to provide in-cell education to an inmate confined in administrative segregation if:

(1) the inmate would benefit from the education; and

(2) the education can be provided to the inmate in a way that does not pose a threat to the health or safety of any department staff member or other inmate.

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, 2007.

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