80R7418 HLT-F
 
  By: Turner H.B. No. 2244
 
 
 
 
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to the ratio of correctional officers to prisoners in a
county jail.
       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 351.005 to read as follows:
       Sec. 351.005.  RATIO OF CORRECTIONAL OFFICERS TO PRISONERS.
(a)  The sheriff shall ensure that:
             (1)  at least one correctional officer is stationed on
each floor of a county jail on which 10 or more prisoners are
housed;
             (2)  at least one correctional officer is stationed on
each floor of the county jail for every 48 prisoners housed on that
floor; and
             (3)  sufficient supervisors and other essential
personnel are present at the county jail to perform the functions
required by the Commission on Jail Standards.
       (b)  The commissioners court shall provide the sheriff with
resources necessary to ensure that staffing requirements imposed by
Subsection (a) are met.
       SECTION 2.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2007.