By: Toth, et al. H.B. No. 2811

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to programs provided by volunteer organizations to inmates in the Texas Department of Criminal Justice.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:

SECTION 1. Section 501.009, Government Code, is amended to read as follows:

Sec. 501.009. VOLUNTEER ORGANIZATIONS; REPORT. (a) The department shall adopt a policy that requires each warden to identify [actively encourage] volunteer and faith-based organizations that [to] provide [the following] programs for inmates housed in facilities operated by the department. The policy must require each warden to actively encourage volunteer and faith-based organizations to provide the following programs for inmates in the warden's facility:

(1) literacy and education programs;

(2) life skills programs;

(3) job skills programs;

(4) parent-training programs;

(5) drug and alcohol rehabilitation programs;

(6) support group programs;

(7) arts and crafts programs; and

(8) other programs determined by the department to aid inmates in the transition between confinement and society and to reduce incidence of recidivism among inmates.

(b) The policy must require that each warden submit a report to the board not later than December 31 of each year that includes, for the preceding fiscal year, a summary of:

(1) the programs provided to inmates under this section; and

(2) the actions taken by the warden to identify volunteer and faith-based organizations willing to provide programs to inmates and to encourage those organizations to provide programs in the warden's facility.

SECTION 2. Not later than December 1, 2013, the Texas Department of Criminal Justice shall adopt the policy, including a schedule for implementing the policy, required by Section 501.009, Government Code, as amended by this Act.

SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2013.