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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to access to communication services for inmates and state |
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jail defendants. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Chapter 493, Government Code, is amended by |
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adding Section 493.035 to read as follows: |
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Sec. 493.035. ACCESS TO COMMUNICATION SERVICES FOR |
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OFFENDERS. (a) In this section, "offender" means an inmate or |
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state jail defendant confined in a facility operated by or under |
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contract with the department. |
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(b) The department shall adopt a policy regarding access by |
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offenders to communication services. The policy: |
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(1) must allow an offender to make domestic telephone |
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calls with a duration of up to 30 minutes per call to persons on the |
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offender's approved calling list at no cost to the offender or the |
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person receiving the call; |
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(2) may not limit the total number of telephone calls |
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that are at no cost under Subdivision (1); and |
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(3) if the offender is eligible for remote video |
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visitation, must provide that the visit is at no cost to the |
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offender or the person visiting the offender. |
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SECTION 2. Not later than December 1, 2023, the Texas |
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Department of Criminal Justice shall adopt the policy required by |
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Section 493.035, Government Code, as added by this Act. |
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SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2023. |