88R7401 MZM-D
 
  By: Leo-Wilson H.B. No. 2805
 
 
 
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 
AN ACT
  relating to the consideration of certain information by a parole
  panel in determining whether to release an inmate on parole.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  Subchapter E, Chapter 508, Government Code, is
  amended by adding Section 508.1415 to read as follows:
         Sec. 508.1415.  ADDITIONAL PAROLE CONSIDERATIONS.  (a)  The
  board shall adopt rules requiring a parole panel considering an
  inmate for release on parole to issue a subpoena under Section
  508.048 for the production of disciplinary records relating to the
  inmate that are maintained by the Texas Education Agency. The rules
  must provide that the existence or contents of the subpoena and
  information obtained in response to the subpoena are not to be
  disclosed to any person other than the board and the parole panel.
  The consideration of disciplinary records by a parole panel as
  required by Subsection (b) is a law enforcement purpose.
         (b)  In determining whether to release an inmate on parole, a
  parole panel shall consider:
               (1)  disciplinary records obtained under Subsection
  (a);
               (2)  relevant information available on the inmate's
  social media accounts; and
               (3)  statements submitted under Subsection (c). 
         (c)  Not later than the 21st day before the date a parole
  panel considers an inmate for release on parole, the department
  shall publish a notice on the department's Internet website and in a
  newspaper of general circulation in the county in which the inmate
  was convicted.  The notice must state:
               (1)  the inmate's name;
               (2)  the county in which the inmate was convicted;
               (3)  the offense for which the inmate was convicted;
               (4)  that persons residing in the county in which the
  inmate was convicted may submit a written statement to the parole
  panel; and
               (5)  the manner and period in which a person described
  by Subdivision (4) may submit a written statement to the parole
  panel.
         (d)  The period provided for the submission of written
  statements under Subsection (c) may not be less than 10 days.
         SECTION 2.  Not later than December 1, 2023, the Board of
  Pardons and Paroles shall adopt the rules required by Section
  508.1415, Government Code, as added by this Act.
         SECTION 3.  Section 508.1415, Government Code, as added by
  this Act, applies only to the consideration by a parole panel of the
  release of an inmate on parole that occurs on or after December 1,
  2023. The consideration by a parole panel of the release of an
  inmate that occurs before December 1, 2023, is governed by the law
  in effect immediately before the effective date of this Act, and the
  former law is continued in effect for that purpose.
         SECTION 4.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2023.