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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to certain conditions under which a parole panel may not |
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refuse to release on parole an inmate who is otherwise eligible for |
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release. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Section 508.141, Government Code, is amended by |
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amending Subsection (e) and adding Subsection (e-1) to read as |
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follows: |
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(e) Except as provided by Subsection (e-1), a [A] parole |
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panel may release an inmate on parole only when: |
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(1) arrangements have been made for the inmate's |
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employment or for the inmate's maintenance and care; and |
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(2) the parole panel believes that the inmate is able |
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and willing to fulfill the obligations of a law-abiding citizen. |
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(e-1) A parole panel that considers for release on parole an |
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inmate described by Subsection (a) and that determines the inmate |
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is able and willing to fulfill the obligations of a law-abiding |
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citizen shall, not later than the 45th day after making that |
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determination, issue an order releasing the inmate on parole. |
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SECTION 2. The change in law made by this Act applies to any |
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inmate who is confined in a facility operated by or under contract |
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with the Texas Department of Criminal Justice on or after the |
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effective date of this Act, regardless of when the inmate's period |
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of confinement began. |
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SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2007. |