| |
|
|
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
|
|
|
AN ACT
|
|
|
relating to certain conditions under which a parole panel may not |
|
|
refuse to release on parole an inmate who is otherwise eligible for |
|
|
release. |
|
|
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
|
|
SECTION 1. Section 508.141, Government Code, is amended by |
|
|
amending Subsection (e) and adding Subsection (e-1) to read as |
|
|
follows: |
|
|
(e) Except as provided by Subsection (e-1), a [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. |
|
|
(e-1) A parole panel that considers for release on parole an |
|
|
inmate described by Subsection (a) and that determines the inmate |
|
|
is able and willing to fulfill the obligations of a law-abiding |
|
|
citizen shall, not later than the 45th day after making that |
|
|
determination, issue an order releasing the inmate on parole. |
|
|
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. |