By: Allen, et al. (Senate Sponsor - Miles) H.B. No. 374

(In the Senate - Received from the House April 3, 2019; April 4, 2019, read first time and referred to Committee on Criminal Justice; April 23, 2019, reported adversely, with favorable Committee Substitute by the following vote: Yeas 6, Nays 0; April 23, 2019, sent to printer.) Click here to see the committee vote

COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE FOR H.B. No. 374 By: Huffman

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to meetings or visits between a defendant on community supervision and a supervision officer.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:

SECTION 1. Chapter 76, Government Code, is amended by adding Section 76.019 to read as follows:

Sec. 76.019. SUPERVISION OFFICER MEETINGS AND VISITS. (a) A department shall adopt a policy regarding the scheduling of meetings or visits with a defendant placed on community supervision and supervised by the department. The policy must require the officer supervising the defendant to take into consideration the defendant's work, treatment, or community service schedule, as applicable, when scheduling any required meetings or visits.

(b) A department may permit a defendant to report to the officer supervising the defendant by use of videoconference technology if the department determines that an in-person meeting or visit is unnecessary.

SECTION 2. Not later than January 1, 2020, each community supervision and corrections department shall adopt the policy required by Section 76.019, Government Code, as added by this Act.

SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2019.

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