Texas House Bill HB2170

Texas 2009 - 81st Regular

Caption

Relating to the minimum number of county jailers necessary to staff a county jail.

Impact

The bill modifies existing provisions in the Local Government Code, specifically by adding Section 351.045, which directly impacts how county jails are staffed. It holds the sheriff or jail administrator accountable for meeting the staffing requirement, while also placing the onus on the county commissioners court to allocate sufficient funding to meet these requirements. By enforcing a standardization of staff-to-inmate ratios, the bill seeks to enhance operational standards in county jails, potentially affecting all counties across the state.

Summary

House Bill 2170 aims to establish staffing requirements for county jails in Texas by mandating a minimum number of county jailers based on the inmate population. Specifically, the bill stipulates that for every 48 inmates housed in a county jail, there must be at least one county jailer employed. This regulation is intended to ensure adequate staffing levels to promote safety and efficient operation within county jails, an important concern given the varied sizes and capacities of such facilities across Texas.

Contention

While proponents argue that this legislation creates necessary benchmarks for jail staffing, ensuring that jails can adequately manage their inmate populations, there may be concerns about the fiscal implications on counties, particularly smaller ones with tighter budgets. Critics could voice that mandates without corresponding state funding could lead to financial strain for counties that struggle to comply due to limited resources. The debates around this bill could revolve around balancing the need for adequate jail staffing against the financial capabilities of various counties in Texas.