81R1280 KCR-D
By: Riddle H.B. No. 717
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to the eligibility of certain sex offenders for parole.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Section 508.046, Government Code, is amended to
read as follows:
Sec. 508.046. EXTRAORDINARY VOTE REQUIRED. To release on
parole an inmate who was convicted of an offense under Section
[21.02,] 21.11(a)(1)[,] or 22.021, Penal Code, and is not
ineligible for release on parole or an inmate who is required under
Section 508.145(c) to serve 35 calendar years before becoming
eligible for release on parole, all members of the board must vote
on the release on parole of the inmate, and at least two-thirds of
the members must vote in favor of the release on parole. A member
of the board may not vote on the release unless the member first
receives a copy of a written report from the department on the
probability that the inmate would commit an offense after being
released on parole.
SECTION 2. This Act takes effect immediately if it receives
a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as
provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution. If this
Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this
Act takes effect September 1, 2009.