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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to a parole panel conducting certain revocation hearings |
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by videoconference. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Section 508.281, Government Code, is amended by |
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amending Subsection (c) and adding Subsection (e) to read as |
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follows: |
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(c) Except as provided by Subsection (e), if [If] a hearing |
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before a designated agent of the board is held under this section |
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for a releasee who appears in compliance with a summons, the sheriff |
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of the county in which the releasee is required to appear shall |
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provide the designated agent with a place at the county jail to hold |
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the hearing. Immediately on conclusion of a hearing in which the |
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designated agent determines that a releasee has violated a |
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condition of release, a warrant may be issued requiring the |
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releasee to be held in the county jail pending: |
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(1) the action of a parole panel on any |
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recommendations made by the designated agent; and |
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(2) if subsequently ordered by the parole panel, the |
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return of the releasee to the institution from which the releasee |
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was released. |
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(e) On the timely request by the releasee and the sheriff of |
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the county in which the releasee is being held that a hearing under |
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this section be conducted by videoconference, a parole panel or |
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designated agent of the board shall conduct the hearing by |
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videoconference. The board, after consultation with the Commission |
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on Jail Standards, shall adopt rules as necessary to implement this |
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subsection. |
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SECTION 2. Section 508.282, Government Code, is amended by |
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adding Subsection (b-1) to read as follows: |
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(b-1) Subsection (b)(2) does not apply in a case in which a |
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hearing conducted by videoconference has been timely requested as |
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provided by Section 508.281(e). |
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SECTION 3. The Board of Pardons and Paroles, after |
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consultation with the Commission on Jail Standards, shall adopt |
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rules related to conducting certain hearings by videoconference, as |
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required by Section 508.281(e), Government Code, as added by this |
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Act, not later than December 31, 2013. |
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SECTION 4. The change in law made by this Act applies only |
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to: |
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(1) a releasee who is accused on or after January 1, |
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2014, of a violation of release; and |
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(2) a person who is released although ineligible for |
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release from the Texas Department of Criminal Justice and who is |
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arrested on or after January 1, 2014. |
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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, 2013. |