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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to a study on the assessments used by the Board of Pardons |
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and Paroles to make parole decisions. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Subchapter E, Chapter 508, Government Code, is |
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amended by adding Section 508.1446 to read as follows: |
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Sec. 508.1446. STUDY ON ASSESSMENTS USED DURING PAROLE |
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DECISIONS. (a) The board shall conduct a study on the |
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effectiveness of the assessments used by the board and parole |
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panels in determining, for purposes of making parole decisions |
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under this chapter, an inmate's risk of recidivism. |
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(b) In conducting the study, the board shall, at a minimum, |
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use information for inmates considered for parole during the period |
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beginning January 1, 2015, and ending December 31, 2017. |
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(c) In evaluating the effectiveness of the assessments, the |
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board shall analyze the number and percentage of inmates released |
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on parole who: |
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(1) are convicted of a misdemeanor offense following |
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release on parole; |
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(2) are convicted of a felony offense following |
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release on parole; or |
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(3) have parole revoked for a reason other than a new |
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conviction. |
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(d) Not later than January 1, 2019, the board shall submit a |
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report on the results of the study to the governor, the lieutenant |
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governor, and each member of the legislature. The report must |
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include any recommendations the board considers necessary to |
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improve the parole decision-making process, including any changes |
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to the assessments used or the parole guidelines or recommended |
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parole approval rates described by Section 508.144. |
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(e) This section expires August 31, 2019. |
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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, 2017. |