81R11185 KCR-D
By: Madden H.B. No. 2818
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to the use of videoconferencing in certain proceedings
involving inmates confined in a facility operated by or under
contract with the Texas Department of Criminal Justice.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Chapter 493, Government Code, is amended by
adding Section 493.031 to read as follows:
Sec. 493.031. USE OF VIDEOCONFERENCING. (a) The
department shall establish a procedure that, to the extent
authorized by the laws of this state:
(1) minimizes the transportation of inmates to and
from legal proceedings at which an inmate is required to appear; and
(2) maximizes the use of videoconferencing technology
in legal proceedings at which an inmate is required to appear.
(b) The procedure adopted by the department under
Subsection (a) may not deny an inmate a right to which the inmate is
entitled under the constitution of this state or the United States.
SECTION 2. The Texas Department of Criminal Justice shall
establish the procedure required under Section 493.031, Government
Code, as added by this Act, not later than January 1, 2010.
SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2009.