88R12912 MZM-F
 
  By: Reynolds H.B. No. 2834
 
 
 
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 
AN ACT
  relating to minimum compensation for inmates participating in
  certain work programs.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  Section 497.004(a), Government Code, is amended
  to read as follows:
         (a)  The board shall [may] develop by rule and the department
  shall [may] administer an incentive pay scale for work program
  participants consistent with rules adopted by the board under
  Subchapter C. The board shall set pay levels at a minimum of $5.25
  per hour of work. Prison industries may be financed through
  contributions donated for this purpose by private businesses
  contracting with the department.  The department shall apportion
  pay earned by a work program participant in the same manner as is
  required by rules adopted by the board under Section 497.0581.
         SECTION 2.  Section 497.099(b), Government Code, is amended
  to read as follows:
         (b)  The board shall [may] develop by rule and the department
  shall [may] administer an incentive pay scale program for inmates
  required to work in agricultural, industrial, or other work
  programs. In developing the program, the board shall set pay levels
  not to unjustly reward inmates, but rather to instruct inmates on
  the virtues of diligent participation in the workplace, provided
  that the board shall set pay levels at a minimum of $5.25 per hour of
  work. The department shall deposit an amount earned by an inmate
  under this subsection into the inmate's trust fund and may deduct
  not more than 80 percent of the amount deposited under this
  subsection for payment of restitution and dependent care owed by
  the inmate. This subsection does not apply to the compensation of
  an inmate participating in a Texas Correctional Industries program
  under Subchapter A or an inmate participating in a private sector
  prison industries program under Subchapter C.
         SECTION 3.  Not later than December 1, 2023, the Texas Board
  of Criminal Justice shall adopt the rules required by Sections
  497.004(a) and 497.099(b), Government Code, as amended by this Act.
         SECTION 4.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2023.