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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to a veteran housing program established by the Texas |
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Department of Criminal Justice. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Subchapter D, Chapter 501, Government Code, is |
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amended by adding Section 501.115 to read as follows: |
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Sec. 501.115. VETERAN HOUSING PROGRAM. (a) The department |
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shall establish a housing program for inmates who are veterans of |
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the United States armed forces. The program must: |
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(1) dedicate certain cellblocks or dormitories for use |
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in the program; and |
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(2) include procedures to: |
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(A) verify the veteran status of each inmate |
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during the diagnostic process; and |
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(B) allow an inmate whose veteran status is |
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verified to opt in to the housing dedicated for use in the program |
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under Subdivision (1). |
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(b) In housing inmates under the program, the department: |
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(1) shall comply with the requirements of Section |
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501.112; and |
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(2) may not house an inmate in a cellblock or dormitory |
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dedicated for use in the program if the department determines that |
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housing the inmate in the cellblock or dormitory would jeopardize |
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the safety or security of other inmates or staff. |
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(c) A cellblock or dormitory dedicated for use in the |
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program under Subsection (a)(1) may, if necessary, be used to house |
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inmates who are not veterans. |
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SECTION 2. As soon as practicable after the effective date |
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of this Act, the Texas Department of Criminal Justice shall |
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establish the program required by Section 501.115, Government Code, |
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as added by this Act. |
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SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2023. |