81R8941 PEP-D
 
  By: Madden H.B. No. 3226
 
 
 
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 
AN ACT
  relating to the payment of temporary housing costs for certain
  inmates who are eligible for parole.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  Subchapter E, Chapter 508, Government Code, is
  amended by adding Section 508.157 to read as follows:
         Sec. 508.157.  TEMPORARY HOUSING ON RELEASE. (a) This
  section applies only to an inmate who is eligible for parole and has
  not been released on parole solely because a permanent post-release
  residence has not been located or established for the inmate.
         (b)  The department may issue to an inmate described by
  Subsection (a) a voucher or debit card to be used by the inmate to
  pay for the cost of temporary post-release housing that meets any
  conditions or requirements imposed by the parole panel.
         (c)  The amount of a voucher or debit card issued under
  Subsection (b) may not exceed an amount that is equal to the cost
  the department would incur to incarcerate the inmate for 30 days.
         (d)  The department shall pay the cost of a voucher or debit
  card issued under Subsection (b) out of funds appropriated by the
  legislature to the department for use in administering the parole
  system with respect to the housing of inmates on their release.
         (e)  The executive director of the Texas Department of
  Criminal Justice shall adopt rules as necessary to implement this
  section.
         SECTION 2.  Section 508.141(e), Government Code, is amended
  to read as follows:
         (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, which may
  include the issuance of a voucher or debit card under Section
  508.157; and
               (2)  the parole panel believes that the inmate is able
  and willing to fulfill the obligations of a law-abiding citizen.
         SECTION 3.  The executive director of the Texas Department
  of Criminal Justice shall adopt the rules required by Section
  508.157, Government Code, as added by this Act, not later than
  January 1, 2010.
         SECTION 4.  The change in law made by this Act applies only
  to an inmate released on parole on or after January 1, 2010.
         SECTION 5.  This Act takes effect immediately if it receives
  a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as
  provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution.  If this
  Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this
  Act takes effect September 1, 2009.