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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to the use of videoconferencing in certain proceedings |
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involving inmates confined in a facility operated by or under |
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contract with the Texas Department of Criminal Justice. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Chapter 493, Government Code, is amended by |
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adding Section 493.031 to read as follows: |
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Sec. 493.031. USE OF VIDEOCONFERENCING. (a) The |
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department shall establish a procedure that, to the extent |
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authorized by the laws of this state: |
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(1) minimizes the transportation of inmates to and |
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from legal proceedings at which an inmate is required to appear; and |
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(2) maximizes the use of videoconferencing technology |
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in legal proceedings at which an inmate is required to appear. |
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(b) The procedure adopted by the department under |
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Subsection (a) may not deny an inmate a right to which the inmate is |
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entitled under the constitution of this state or the United States. |
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SECTION 2. The Texas Department of Criminal Justice shall |
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establish the procedure required under Section 493.031, Government |
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Code, as added by this Act, not later than January 1, 2010. |
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SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2009. |