BILL ANALYSIS

Senate Research Center	H.B. 2888
85R17845 MAW-D	By: Romero, Jr. et al. (Whitmire)
	Criminal Justice
	5/18/2017
	Engrossed

AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT

H.B. 2888 amends the Government Code to require the Board of Pardons and Paroles to identify any classes or programs that the board intends to require an inmate to complete before releasing the inmate on parole and to require the Texas Department of Criminal Justice (TDCJ) to provide the inmate with a list of those classes or programs. H.B. 2888 requires TDCJ to make reasonable efforts to provide an inmate the opportunity to complete any classes or programs included in the inmate's individual treatment plan, other than classes or programs that are to be completed immediately before the inmate's release on parole, in a timely manner so that the inmate's release on parole is not delayed due to any uncompleted classes or programs.

H.B. 2888 amends current law relating to an inmate's completion of classes or programs before being released on parole.

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

This bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, institution, or agency.

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1. Amends Sections 508.152(b-2) and (c), Government Code, as follows:

(b-2) Requires the Texas Department of Criminal Justice (TDCJ) to make reasonable efforts to provide an inmate the opportunity to complete any classes or programs included in the inmate's individual treatment plan, other than classes or programs that are to be completed immediately before the inmate's release on parole, in a timely manner so that the inmate's release on parole is not delayed due to any uncompleted classes or programs.

(c) Requires the Texas Board of Criminal Justice (TBCJ) to identify any classes or programs that TBCJ intends to require the inmate to complete before releasing the inmate on parole. Requires TDCJ to provide the inmate with a list of those classes or programs.

SECTION 2. Effective date: September 1, 2017.