BILL ANALYSIS

 

 

 

H.B. 659

By: White

Corrections

Committee Report (Unamended)

 

 

 

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

 

It has been noted that, although Texas has begun investing in programs aimed at youth with incarcerated parents, there is little data available regarding those parents. H.B. 659 seeks to address this data gap by requiring the Texas Department of Criminal Justice to collect and share on an annual basis statistical information regarding parents incarcerated at its facilities.

 

CRIMINAL JUSTICE IMPACT

 

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly create a criminal offense, increase the punishment for an existing criminal offense or category of offenses, or change the eligibility of a person for community supervision, parole, or mandatory supervision.

 

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

 

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, department, agency, or institution.

 

ANALYSIS

 

H.B. 659 amends the Government Code to require the Texas Department of Criminal Justice (TDCJ) to maintain and annually update statistical information on the number of inmates confined in a facility operated by or under contract with TDCJ who are parents of a child of any age. The bill requires TDCJ to submit to the Texas Education Agency and Department of Family and Protective Services, not later than December 31 of each year, a report summarizing the statistical information for the preceding fiscal year and requires TDCJ to submit the first report not later than December 31, 2020.

 

EFFECTIVE DATE

 

September 1, 2019.