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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to a protocol for contraband searches conducted by the |
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Texas Department of Criminal Justice during extreme weather |
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conditions. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Subchapter A, Chapter 501, Government Code, is |
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amended by adding Section 501.025 to read as follows: |
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Sec. 501.025. PROTOCOL FOR CONTRABAND SEARCH DURING EXTREME |
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WEATHER CONDITIONS. (a) The department shall develop and |
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implement a protocol for conducting a contraband search during |
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extreme heat or cold or other adverse weather conditions. The |
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protocol must include procedures for confining inmates during a |
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contraband search that ensure the health and safety of the inmates. |
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(b) In developing the protocol under Subsection (a), the |
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department shall: |
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(1) consult with appropriate medical personnel and |
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relevant stakeholders; and |
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(2) take into consideration variations among the |
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facilities used to confine inmates. |
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(c) The department shall annually review the protocol |
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developed under Subsection (a) and update the protocol as |
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necessary. The department shall consult with the persons described |
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by Subsection (b)(1) when updating the protocol. |
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(d) Not later than December 1 of each year, the department |
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shall submit a written copy of the protocol developed under |
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Subsection (a) to the governor, the lieutenant governor, the |
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speaker of the house of representatives, and the presiding officer |
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of each legislative standing committee with primary jurisdiction |
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over the department. |
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SECTION 2. Not later than December 1, 2018, the Texas |
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Department of Criminal Justice shall develop and implement the |
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protocol required under Section 501.025, Government Code, as added |
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by this Act. |
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SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2017. |