By: Lopez of Bexar, Garcia, Plesa, Collier H.B. No. 4837
 
 
 
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 
AN ACT
  relating to a veteran housing program established by the Texas
  Department of Criminal Justice.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  Subchapter D, Chapter 501, Government Code, is
  amended by adding Section 501.115 to read as follows:
         Sec. 501.115.  VETERAN HOUSING PROGRAM. (a)  The department
  shall establish a housing program for inmates who are veterans who
  served not less than 180 days on active duty in the United States
  armed forces and were honorably discharged.
         (b)  The program must:
               (1)  dedicate certain cellblocks or dormitories for use
  in the program; and
               (2)  include procedures to:
                     (A)  verify the eligibility of each inmate during
  the diagnostic process; and
                     (B)  allow an inmate who is a veteran described by
  Subsection (a) to opt in to the housing dedicated for use in the
  program under Subdivision (1).
         (c)  In housing inmates under the program, the department:
               (1)  shall comply with the requirements of Section
  501.112; and
               (2)  may not house an inmate in a cellblock or dormitory
  dedicated for use in the program if the department determines that
  housing the inmate in the cellblock or dormitory would jeopardize
  the safety or security of other inmates or staff.
         (d)  A cellblock or dormitory dedicated for use in the
  program under Subsection (b)(1) may, if necessary, be used to house
  inmates who are not veterans described by Subsection (a).
         SECTION 2.  As soon as practicable after the effective date
  of this Act, the Texas Department of Criminal Justice shall
  establish the program required by Section 501.115, Government Code,
  as added by this Act.
         SECTION 3.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2023.