Texas 2019 86th Regular

Texas House Bill HB374 Comm Sub / Bill

Filed 03/18/2019

                    86R19255 MAW-F
 By: Allen, Bowers, et al. H.B. No. 374
 Substitute the following for H.B. No. 374:
 By:  White C.S.H.B. No. 374


 A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 AN ACT
 relating to meetings or visits between a defendant on community
 supervision and a supervision officer.
 BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
 SECTION 1.  Chapter 76, Government Code, is amended by
 adding Section 76.019 to read as follows:
 Sec. 76.019.  SUPERVISION OFFICER MEETINGS AND VISITS. (a)
 A department shall adopt a policy regarding the scheduling of
 meetings or visits with a defendant placed on community supervision
 and supervised by the department. The policy must require the
 officer supervising the defendant to take into consideration the
 defendant's work, treatment, or community service schedule, as
 applicable, when scheduling any required meetings or visits.
 (b)  A department may permit a defendant to report to the
 officer supervising the defendant by use of videoconference
 technology if the department determines that an in-person meeting
 or visit is unnecessary.
 SECTION 2.  Not later than January 1, 2020, each community
 supervision and corrections department shall adopt the policy
 required by Section 76.019, Government Code, as added by this Act.
 SECTION 3.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2019.