By: White, et al. (Senate Sponsor - Johnson) H.B. No. 918
         (In the Senate - Received from the House May 2, 2019;
  May 3, 2019, read first time and referred to Committee on Criminal
  Justice; May 15, 2019, reported favorably by the following vote:  
  Yeas 6, Nays 0; May 15, 2019, sent to printer.)
Click here to see the committee vote
 
 
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 
AN ACT
 
  relating to providing discharged or released inmates with certain
  documents, including documents to assist the inmate in obtaining
  employment.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  Subchapter A, Chapter 501, Government Code, is
  amended by adding Sections 501.0155 and 501.0166 to read as
  follows:
         Sec. 501.0155.  PROVIDING DISCHARGED OR RELEASED INMATE WITH
  DOCUMENTATION FOR EMPLOYMENT. When an inmate who is able to work,
  as determined by the department based on the inmate's age or mental
  or physical condition, is discharged or released on parole,
  mandatory supervision, or conditional pardon and the intended
  residence designated by the inmate is in this state, the department
  shall provide the inmate with relevant documentation to assist the
  inmate in obtaining post-release employment, including:
               (1)  as applicable, a copy of the inmate's job training
  record described by Section 497.094 and the inmate's work record
  described by Section 497.095; and
               (2)  for an inmate who completed a prerelease program
  required by a parole panel as a condition of release:
                     (A)  a resume that includes any trade learned by
  the inmate and the inmate's proficiency at that trade; and
                     (B)  documentation that the inmate has completed a
  practice job interview.
         Sec. 501.0166.  PROVIDING DISCHARGED OR RELEASED INMATE WITH
  BIRTH CERTIFICATE AND SOCIAL SECURITY CARD. (a) In addition to
  complying with the requirements of Section 501.0165 regarding a
  license or personal identification certificate for an inmate being
  discharged or released on parole, mandatory supervision, or
  conditional pardon, the department must:
               (1)  determine whether the inmate has a:
                     (A)  certified copy of the inmate's birth
  certificate; and
                     (B)  copy of the inmate's social security card;
  and
               (2)  if the inmate does not have a document described by
  Subdivision (1), submit to the appropriate entity on behalf of the
  inmate a request for the issuance of the applicable document.
         (b)  The department shall submit a request under Subsection
  (a)(2) as soon as is practicable to enable the department to provide
  the inmate with the applicable document when the department
  discharges or releases the inmate.
         (c)  This section does not apply to an inmate who:
               (1)  is not legally present in the United States; or
               (2)  was not a resident of this state before the person
  was placed in the custody of the department.
         SECTION 2.  This Act takes effect January 1, 2020.
 
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