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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to a study of and report regarding Texas Department of |
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Criminal Justice visitation policies. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Subchapter A, Chapter 501, Government Code, is |
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amended by adding Section 501.0101 to read as follows: |
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Sec. 501.0101. STUDY OF VISITATION POLICIES; REPORT. (a) |
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The department shall conduct a study of the state jail division's |
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visitation policies under Section 507.030(b) and the institutional |
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division's visitation policies under Section 501.010(b). The study |
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must include methods to improve the policies to provide: |
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(1) safe contact between adults; |
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(2) child-friendly areas; |
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(3) an atmosphere that is conducive to maintaining |
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family relations; and |
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(4) updated visitation facilities that reduce noise |
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and allow for adequate space. |
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(b) Not later than December 31, 2014, the department shall |
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report the results of the study to the governor, the lieutenant |
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governor, the speaker of the house of representatives, and the |
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standing legislative committees with primary jurisdiction over the |
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department. |
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(c) This section expires February 1, 2015. |
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SECTION 2. 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. |