|
|
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
|
|
|
AN ACT
|
|
|
relating to the date by which certain inmates must be released on |
|
|
parole. |
|
|
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
|
|
SECTION 1. Section 508.141, Government Code, is amended by |
|
|
amending Subsections (b) through (e) and adding Subsection (h) to |
|
|
read as follows: |
|
|
(b) A [parole is issued only on the order of a] parole panel |
|
|
shall issue an order that releases an inmate, other than an inmate |
|
|
serving a sentence for an offense described by Section 508.149, to |
|
|
parole not later than the 45th day after the date the parole panel |
|
|
determines that: [.
|
|
|
[(c) Before releasing an inmate on parole, a parole panel
|
|
|
may have the inmate appear before the panel and interview the
|
|
|
inmate.
|
|
|
[(d) A parole panel may release an inmate on parole during
|
|
|
the parole month established for the inmate if the panel determines
|
|
|
that the inmate's release will not increase the likelihood of harm
|
|
|
to the public.
|
|
|
[(e) A parole panel may release an inmate on parole only
|
|
|
when:] |
|
|
(1) arrangements have been made for the inmate's |
|
|
employment or for the inmate's maintenance and care; [and] |
|
|
(2) the [parole panel believes that the] inmate is |
|
|
able and willing to fulfill the obligations of a law-abiding |
|
|
citizen; |
|
|
(3) the inmate has completed any program requirements |
|
|
imposed by the parole panel as a condition of release; and |
|
|
(4) any applicable release date specified by the panel |
|
|
has been met. |
|
|
(h) The department shall submit to the lieutenant governor, |
|
|
the speaker of the house of representatives, the presiding officers |
|
|
of the standing committees in the senate and house of |
|
|
representatives that are primarily responsible for criminal |
|
|
justice, and, if applicable, the Criminal Justice Legislative |
|
|
Oversight Committee an annual report containing the number of |
|
|
releases and describing the justification for the releases of |
|
|
inmates to parole later than the date described by Subsection (b). |
|
|
SECTION 2. The change in law made by this Act applies to any |
|
|
inmate who is confined in a facility operated by or under contract |
|
|
with the Texas Department of Criminal Justice on or after the |
|
|
effective date of this Act, regardless of when the inmate's period |
|
|
of confinement began. |
|
|
SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2007. |