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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to the payment of temporary housing costs for certain |
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inmates who are eligible for parole. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Subchapter E, Chapter 508, Government Code, is |
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amended by adding Section 508.157 to read as follows: |
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Sec. 508.157. TEMPORARY HOUSING ON RELEASE. (a) This |
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section applies only to an inmate who is eligible for parole and has |
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not been released on parole solely because a permanent post-release |
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residence has not been located or established for the inmate. |
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(b) The department may issue to an inmate described by |
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Subsection (a) a voucher or debit card to be used by the inmate to |
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pay for the cost of temporary post-release housing that meets any |
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conditions or requirements imposed by the parole panel. |
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(c) The amount of a voucher or debit card issued under |
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Subsection (b) may not exceed an amount that is equal to the cost |
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the department would incur to incarcerate the inmate for 30 days. |
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(d) The department shall pay the cost of a voucher or debit |
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card issued under Subsection (b) out of funds appropriated by the |
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legislature to the department for use in administering the parole |
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system with respect to the housing of inmates on their release. |
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(e) The executive director of the Texas Department of |
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Criminal Justice shall adopt rules as necessary to implement this |
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section. |
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SECTION 2. Section 508.141(e), Government Code, is amended |
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to read as follows: |
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(e) A parole panel may release an inmate on parole only |
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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, which may |
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include the issuance of a voucher or debit card under Section |
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508.157; 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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SECTION 3. The executive director of the Texas Department |
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of Criminal Justice shall adopt the rules required by Section |
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508.157, Government Code, as added by this Act, not later than |
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January 1, 2010. |
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SECTION 4. The change in law made by this Act applies only |
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to an inmate released on parole on or after January 1, 2010. |
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SECTION 5. This Act takes effect immediately if it receives |
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a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as |
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provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution. If this |
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Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this |
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Act takes effect September 1, 2009. |