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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to minimum compensation for inmates participating in |
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certain work programs. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Section 497.004(a), Government Code, is amended |
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to read as follows: |
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(a) The board shall [may] develop by rule and the department |
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shall [may] administer an incentive pay scale for work program |
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participants consistent with rules adopted by the board under |
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Subchapter C. The board shall set pay levels at a minimum of $5.25 |
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per hour of work. Prison industries may be financed through |
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contributions donated for this purpose by private businesses |
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contracting with the department. The department shall apportion |
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pay earned by a work program participant in the same manner as is |
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required by rules adopted by the board under Section 497.0581. |
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SECTION 2. Section 497.099(b), Government Code, is amended |
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to read as follows: |
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(b) The board shall [may] develop by rule and the department |
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shall [may] administer an incentive pay scale program for inmates |
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required to work in agricultural, industrial, or other work |
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programs. In developing the program, the board shall set pay levels |
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not to unjustly reward inmates, but rather to instruct inmates on |
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the virtues of diligent participation in the workplace, provided |
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that the board shall set pay levels at a minimum of $5.25 per hour of |
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work. The department shall deposit an amount earned by an inmate |
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under this subsection into the inmate's trust fund and may deduct |
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not more than 80 percent of the amount deposited under this |
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subsection for payment of restitution and dependent care owed by |
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the inmate. This subsection does not apply to the compensation of |
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an inmate participating in a Texas Correctional Industries program |
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under Subchapter A or an inmate participating in a private sector |
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prison industries program under Subchapter C. |
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SECTION 3. Not later than December 1, 2023, the Texas Board |
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of Criminal Justice shall adopt the rules required by Sections |
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497.004(a) and 497.099(b), Government Code, as amended by this Act. |
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SECTION 4. This Act takes effect September 1, 2023. |