84R12110 JRR-D
By: Farias H.B. No. 3726
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to establishing a veterans reentry program for certain
inmates and state jail defendants confined by the Texas Department
of Criminal Justice.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Subchapter C, Chapter 501, Government Code, is
amended by adding Section 501.0961 to read as follows:
Sec. 501.0961. VETERANS REENTRY DORM PROGRAM. (a) The
department shall establish a voluntary reentry and reintegration
program for offenders:
(1) who are veterans of the United States armed
forces, including veterans of the reserves, national guard, or
state guard; and
(2) who suffer from a brain injury, mental illness, or
mental disorder, including post-traumatic stress disorder, that:
(A) occurred during or resulted from their
military service; and
(B) may have contributed to their criminal
activity.
(b) The program must:
(1) house offenders participating in the program in
housing that is designed to mimic the squadron structure familiar
to veterans;
(2) provide rehabilitation programming in developing
healthy relationships, anger management techniques, and substance
abuse treatment; and
(3) before releasing or discharging an offender
participating in the program from the department, match the
offender with a veteran peer coordinator to assist the offender in
reintegrating into the community.
SECTION 2. This Act takes effect September 1, 2015.