Honorable John Whitmire, Chair, Senate Committee on Criminal Justice
FROM:
Ursula Parks, Director, Legislative Budget Board
IN RE:
HB549 by Johnson (Relating to certain duties of the Commission on Jail Standards regarding visitation periods for county jail prisoners.), As Engrossed
No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.
The bill would amend the Government Code to require the Texas Commission on Jail Standards (TCJS) to adopt rules and procedures establishing certain minimum county jail standards for prisoner visitation as specified in the bill. TCJS anticipates any additional agency work resulting from the passage of the bill could be reasonably absorbed within TCJS' existing resources. The bill would take effect September 1, 2015.
Local Government Impact
There may be a cost to counties to meet certain minimum standards for prisoner visitation. However, the bill provides that county jails that have incurred significant design, engineering, or construction cost as of September 1, 2015 or do not have the physical plant capability to meet certain visitation requirements would not be required to comply.