86R10323 JG-F
 
  By: Howard, Johnson of Harris, White, et al. H.B. No. 3227
 
 
 
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 
AN ACT
  relating to a female inmate's access to programs offered to inmates
  of the Texas Department of Criminal Justice.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  Subchapter A, Chapter 501, Government Code, is
  amended by adding Section 501.026 to read as follows:
         Sec. 501.026.  ACCESS TO PROGRAMS BY FEMALE INMATES. (a)
  The department shall develop and implement policies that increase
  and promote a female inmate's access to programs offered to inmates
  in the custody of the department, including educational,
  vocational, substance use treatment, rehabilitation, life skills
  training, and prerelease programs. The department may not reduce
  or limit a male inmate's access to a program to meet the
  requirements of this section.
         (b)  Not later than December 31 of each year, the department
  shall:
               (1)  prepare and submit to the governor, the lieutenant
  governor, the speaker of the house of representatives, each
  standing committee of the legislature having primary jurisdiction
  over the department, and the reentry task force described by
  Section 501.098 a written report that includes:
                     (A)  a description of any department policies that
  were created, modified, or eliminated during the preceding year to
  meet the requirements of this section; and
                     (B)  a list of programs available to female
  inmates in the custody of the department during the preceding year;
  and
               (2)  publish the report on the department's Internet
  website.
         SECTION 2.  As soon as practicable after the effective date
  of this Act, the Texas Department of Criminal Justice shall develop
  and implement the policies required by Section 501.026, Government
  Code, as added by this Act.
         SECTION 3.  The Texas Department of Criminal Justice shall
  submit the first report required by Section 501.026, Government
  Code, as added by this Act, not later than December 31, 2020.
         SECTION 4.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2019.