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.