Honorable Garnet Coleman, Chair, House Committee on County Affairs
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 Introduced
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. The 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. County jails may have to modify or upgrade their current visitation systems and may require additional staff to supervise visits and escort inmates. The fiscal impact would vary depending on a county jail's resources and may be significant.