81R24897 PEP-F
By: Edwards, Turner of Harris H.B. No. 1958
Substitute the following for H.B. No. 1958:
By: McReynolds C.S.H.B. No. 1958
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to the release from the Texas Department of Criminal
Justice of certain inmates who complete a rehabilitation program.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Section 508.141, Government Code, is amended by
amending Subsection (d) and adding Subsection (d-1) to read as
follows:
(d) A parole panel may release an inmate on parole during
the parole month established for the inmate, or at an earlier time
in accordance with Subsection (d-1), if the panel determines that
the inmate's release will not increase the likelihood of harm to the
public.
(d-1) If a parole panel requires, as a condition of release,
that an inmate complete a specific department rehabilitation
program before release, the department shall place the inmate in
the program specified by the parole panel, except that the
department may place the inmate in a different program with the
approval of the parole panel. If the inmate successfully completes
a department rehabilitation program specified or approved by the
parole panel under this subsection and satisfies all other
conditions of release specified by the parole panel before the
parole month established for the inmate, the department shall
promptly notify the parole panel for purposes of considering the
inmate's immediate release.
SECTION 2. The change in law made by this Act applies to any
inmate who is confined in a facility operated by or under contract
with the Texas Department of Criminal Justice on or after the
effective date of this Act, regardless of when the inmate's period
of confinement began.
SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2009.