87R1320 ANG-D
 
  By: Sherman, Sr. H.B. No. 599
 
 
 
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 
AN ACT
  relating to the life expectancies of inmates and correctional
  officers of the Texas Department of Criminal Justice.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  Chapter 493, Government Code, is amended by
  adding Section 493.034 to read as follows:
         Sec. 493.034.  LIFE EXPECTANCY OF INMATES AND CORRECTIONAL
  OFFICERS. (a) The department shall biennially review the average
  life expectancies of inmates confined in facilities operated by or
  under contract with the department and correctional officers
  employed by the department. In conducting the review, the
  department shall identify and rank, by severity, the types of
  traumas or conditions experienced by:
               (1)  inmates while confined that negatively affect the
  life expectancies of inmates; and 
               (2)  correctional officers while working that
  negatively affect the life expectancies of correctional officers.
         (b)  The department shall adopt policies and implement
  methods or programs designed to:
               (1)  minimize the traumas or conditions identified
  under Subsection (a); and
               (2)  help inmates and correctional officers cope with
  the traumas or conditions.
         (c)  Not later than September 1 of each even-numbered year,
  the department shall submit to the governor, the lieutenant
  governor, the speaker of the house of representatives, and each
  standing legislative committee with primary jurisdiction over the
  department a report that:
               (1)  contains the results of the review conducted under
  Subsection (a); and
               (2)  describes the policies, methods, or programs
  adopted or implemented under Subsection (b) and the effect of those
  policies, methods, or programs on the life expectancies of inmates
  and correctional officers.
         SECTION 2.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2021.