86R10323 JG-F
By: Howard, Johnson of Harris, Allen, White, H.B. No. 3227
et al.
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to a female inmate's access to programs offered to inmates
of the Texas Department of Criminal Justice.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Subchapter A, Chapter 501, Government Code, is
amended by adding Section 501.026 to read as follows:
Sec. 501.026. ACCESS TO PROGRAMS BY FEMALE INMATES. (a)
The department shall develop and implement policies that increase
and promote a female inmate's access to programs offered to inmates
in the custody of the department, including educational,
vocational, substance use treatment, rehabilitation, life skills
training, and prerelease programs. The department may not reduce
or limit a male inmate's access to a program to meet the
requirements of this section.
(b) Not later than December 31 of each year, the department
shall:
(1) prepare and submit to the governor, the lieutenant
governor, the speaker of the house of representatives, each
standing committee of the legislature having primary jurisdiction
over the department, and the reentry task force described by
Section 501.098 a written report that includes:
(A) a description of any department policies that
were created, modified, or eliminated during the preceding year to
meet the requirements of this section; and
(B) a list of programs available to female
inmates in the custody of the department during the preceding year;
and
(2) publish the report on the department's Internet
website.
SECTION 2. As soon as practicable after the effective date
of this Act, the Texas Department of Criminal Justice shall develop
and implement the policies required by Section 501.026, Government
Code, as added by this Act.
SECTION 3. The Texas Department of Criminal Justice shall
submit the first report required by Section 501.026, Government
Code, as added by this Act, not later than December 31, 2020.
SECTION 4. This Act takes effect September 1, 2019.