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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to the factors to be considered by the Board of Pardons and |
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Paroles in establishing parole guidelines. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Section 508.144(a), Government Code, is amended |
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to read as follows: |
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(a) The board shall: |
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(1) develop according to an acceptable research method |
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the parole guidelines that are the basic criteria on which a parole |
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decision is made; |
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(2) base the guidelines on: |
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(A) the seriousness of the offense and the |
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likelihood of a favorable parole outcome; and |
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(B) an acknowledgment that the advanced age or |
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any physical or mental disability of an inmate may decrease the |
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likelihood that an inmate's release would constitute a threat to |
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public safety; |
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(3) ensure that the guidelines require consideration |
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of an inmate's progress in any programs in which the inmate |
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participated during the inmate's term of confinement; and |
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(4) implement the guidelines. |
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SECTION 2. The Board of Pardons and Paroles shall, not later |
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than November 1, 2011, modify parole guidelines to be in conformity |
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with Section 508.144(a), Government Code, as amended by this Act. |
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SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2011. |