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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to providing discharged or released inmates with certain |
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documents, including documents to assist the inmate in obtaining |
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employment. |
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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 Sections 501.0155 and 501.0166 to read as |
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follows: |
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Sec. 501.0155. PROVIDING DISCHARGED OR RELEASED INMATE WITH |
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DOCUMENTATION FOR EMPLOYMENT. When an inmate who is able to work, |
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as determined by the department based on the inmate's age or mental |
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or physical condition, is discharged or released on parole, |
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mandatory supervision, or conditional pardon and the intended |
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residence designated by the inmate is in this state, the department |
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shall provide the inmate with relevant documentation to assist the |
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inmate in obtaining post-release employment, including: |
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(1) as applicable, a copy of the inmate's job training |
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record described by Section 497.094 and the inmate's work record |
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described by Section 497.095; and |
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(2) for an inmate who completed a prerelease program |
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required by a parole panel as a condition of release: |
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(A) a resume that includes any trade learned by |
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the inmate and the inmate's proficiency at that trade; and |
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(B) documentation that the inmate has completed a |
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practice job interview. |
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Sec. 501.0166. PROVIDING DISCHARGED OR RELEASED INMATE WITH |
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BIRTH CERTIFICATE AND SOCIAL SECURITY CARD. (a) In addition to |
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complying with the requirements of Section 501.0165 regarding a |
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license or personal identification certificate for an inmate being |
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discharged or released on parole, mandatory supervision, or |
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conditional pardon, the department must: |
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(1) determine whether the inmate has a: |
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(A) certified copy of the inmate's birth |
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certificate; and |
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(B) copy of the inmate's social security card; |
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and |
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(2) if the inmate does not have a document described by |
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Subdivision (1), submit to the appropriate entity on behalf of the |
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inmate a request for the issuance of the applicable document. |
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(b) The department shall submit a request under Subsection |
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(a)(2) as soon as is practicable to enable the department to provide |
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the inmate with the applicable document when the department |
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discharges or releases the inmate. |
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(c) This section does not apply to an inmate who: |
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(1) is not legally present in the United States; or |
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(2) was not a resident of this state before the person |
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was placed in the custody of the department. |
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SECTION 2. This Act takes effect January 1, 2020. |