Texas Senate Bill SB1698

Texas 2011 - 82nd Regular

• Introduced: 3/11/11
• Out of Senate Committee: 5/2/11
• Voted on by Senate: 5/13/11
• Refer: 3/23/11
• Out of House Committee: 5/20/11
• Report Pass: 5/2/11
• Voted on by House: 5/23/11
• Engrossed: 5/13/11
• Governor Action: 6/17/11
• Refer: 5/19/11
• Report Pass: 5/19/11
• Enrolled: 5/23/11
• Passed: 6/17/11

Caption

Relating to reporting concerning inmates who are confined in county jails and subject to federal immigration detainers.

Impact

The introduction of SB1698 is expected to have significant implications for county jails, particularly in how they report their inmate populations. By requiring a standardized report format, the bill aims to facilitate consistency and accuracy in data pertaining to who is housed in county facilities, allowing for better resource allocation and oversight. Furthermore, the inclusion of categories regarding inmates with federal immigration detainers underscores a heightened focus on how immigration laws intersect with local incarceration practices.

Summary

Senate Bill 1698 is aimed at enhancing the reporting requirements concerning inmates confined in county jails with respect to federal immigration detainers. The bill mandates that each county submits comprehensive monthly reports to the applicable state commission, detailing various categories of inmates such as pretrial offenders and those detained for immigration violations. This seeks to create a structured data collection framework to better understand the demographics and conditions of those incarcerated, especially concerning federal immigration detainers.

Contention

While the bill aligns with goals of increased transparency and accountability, it may encounter pushback regarding the implications of its reporting requirements. Critics of similar legislation often raise concerns about the potential stigmatization of inmates with immigration detainers and argue that such reporting could lead to further entrenchment of punitive measures against marginalized groups. Therefore, discussions surrounding this bill may involve significant viewpoints on civil rights and the responsibilities of local law enforcement in relation to federal immigration policies.