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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to the establishment of a task force to conduct a |
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comprehensive study on best practice standards for the confinement |
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of pregnant prisoners in county jails. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. (a) A task force is established to conduct a |
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comprehensive study on best practice standards for the confinement |
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of pregnant prisoners in county jails. The study must identify and |
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make recommendations regarding the following with respect to the |
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confinement of pregnant prisoners: |
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(1) current policies and procedures; |
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(2) barriers to accommodations and justice; |
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(3) best practices used in other states; |
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(4) policies that would improve jail standards; and |
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(5) any other issue the task force considers |
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appropriate. |
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(b) The Commission on Jail Standards shall appoint the |
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members of the task force. The task force must include at least: |
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(1) one representative of the Commission on Jail |
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Standards; |
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(2) one representative of a statewide organization |
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that advocates for incarcerated women; |
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(3) one representative of a statewide organization |
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that represents corrections professionals; |
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(4) one representative of a county jail; |
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(5) one member who is a mental health professional; |
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(6) one member who is an obstetrician or gynecologist; |
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(7) one member who is a doula providing culturally |
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responsive care; |
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(8) one member who was pregnant while incarcerated; |
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and |
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(9) one member who is a certified reentry peer support |
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specialist. |
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(c) The member appointed under Subsection (b)(1) of this |
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section serves as the presiding officer of the task force. |
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(d) The task force shall prepare a written report that |
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includes: |
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(1) a description of the activities of the task force; |
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(2) the findings and recommendations of the task |
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force; |
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(3) a plan for how the best practice standards |
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identified by the task force can be implemented statewide; |
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(4) any proposals for legislation; and |
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(5) any other matter the task force considers |
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appropriate. |
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(e) Not later than December 1, 2022, the task force shall |
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submit the report prepared under this section to: |
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(1) the governor; |
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(2) the lieutenant governor; |
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(3) the speaker of the house of representatives; and |
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(4) the presiding officers of the standing committees |
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of the senate and house of representatives having primary |
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jurisdiction over issues relating to criminal justice. |
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(f) The Commission on Jail Standards shall make the report |
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available to the public on the commission's Internet website. |
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(g) The task force is abolished and this Act expires |
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September 1, 2023. |
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SECTION 2. This Act takes effect September 1, 2021. |