S.B. No. 345
AN ACT
relating to certain programs for inmates, including the abolition
of the state boot camp program and the use of programs by volunteer
and faith-based organizations.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Section 501.009, Government Code, is amended to
read as follows:
Sec. 501.009. VOLUNTEER AND FAITH-BASED ORGANIZATIONS;
REPORT. (a) The department shall adopt a policy that requires
each warden to identify [actively encourage] volunteer and
faith-based organizations that [to] provide [the following]
programs for inmates housed in facilities operated by the
department. The policy must require each warden to actively
encourage volunteer and faith-based organizations to provide the
following programs for inmates in the warden's facility:
(1) literacy and education programs;
(2) life skills programs;
(3) job skills programs;
(4) parent-training programs;
(5) drug and alcohol rehabilitation programs;
(6) support group programs;
(7) arts and crafts programs; and
(8) other programs determined by the department to aid
inmates in the transition between confinement and society and to
reduce incidence of recidivism among inmates.
(b) The policy must require that each warden submit a report
to the board not later than December 31 of each year that includes,
for the preceding fiscal year, a summary of:
(1) the programs provided to inmates under this
section; and
(2) the actions taken by the warden to identify
volunteer and faith-based organizations willing to provide
programs to inmates and to encourage those organizations to provide
programs in the warden's facility.
SECTION 2. The following are repealed:
(1) Section 8, Article 42.12, Code of Criminal
Procedure; and
(2) Section 499.052, Government Code.
SECTION 3. (a) On and after the effective date of this Act:
(1) a judge may not recommend a person for placement in
the state boot camp program under Section 499.052, Government Code;
and
(2) a participant in the state boot camp program
remains a participant in the program only until the later of the
following dates:
(A) the date on which the convicting court
suspends further execution of the sentence and reassumes custody of
the person; or
(B) the date on which the Texas Department of
Criminal Justice transfers the person to another unit in the
department.
(b) Section 8, Article 42.12, Code of Criminal Procedure,
and Section 499.052, Government Code, repealed by this Act, are
continued in effect for the limited purpose of the orderly
abolition of the state boot camp program created by those
provisions.
SECTION 4. Not later than December 1, 2013, the Texas
Department of Criminal Justice shall adopt the policy, including a
schedule for implementing the policy, required by Section 501.009,
Government Code, as amended by this Act.
SECTION 5. This Act takes effect September 1, 2013.
______________________________ ______________________________
President of the Senate Speaker of the House
I hereby certify that S.B. No. 345 passed the Senate on
March 27, 2013, by the following vote: Yeas 30, Nays 0; and that
the Senate concurred in House amendment on May 24, 2013, by the
following vote: Yeas 31, Nays 0.
______________________________
Secretary of the Senate
I hereby certify that S.B. No. 345 passed the House, with
amendment, on May 21, 2013, by the following vote: Yeas 143,
Nays 2, two present not voting.
______________________________
Chief Clerk of the House
Approved:
______________________________
Date
______________________________
Governor