H.B. No. 918
AN ACT
relating to providing discharged or released inmates with certain
documents, including documents to assist the inmate in obtaining
employment.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Subchapter A, Chapter 501, Government Code, is
amended by adding Sections 501.0155 and 501.0166 to read as
follows:
Sec. 501.0155. PROVIDING DISCHARGED OR RELEASED INMATE WITH
DOCUMENTATION FOR EMPLOYMENT. When an inmate who is able to work,
as determined by the department based on the inmate's age or mental
or physical condition, is discharged or released on parole,
mandatory supervision, or conditional pardon and the intended
residence designated by the inmate is in this state, the department
shall provide the inmate with relevant documentation to assist the
inmate in obtaining post-release employment, including:
(1) as applicable, a copy of the inmate's job training
record described by Section 497.094 and the inmate's work record
described by Section 497.095; and
(2) for an inmate who completed a prerelease program
required by a parole panel as a condition of release:
(A) a resume that includes any trade learned by
the inmate and the inmate's proficiency at that trade; and
(B) documentation that the inmate has completed a
practice job interview.
Sec. 501.0166. PROVIDING DISCHARGED OR RELEASED INMATE WITH
BIRTH CERTIFICATE AND SOCIAL SECURITY CARD. (a) In addition to
complying with the requirements of Section 501.0165 regarding a
license or personal identification certificate for an inmate being
discharged or released on parole, mandatory supervision, or
conditional pardon, the department must:
(1) determine whether the inmate has a:
(A) certified copy of the inmate's birth
certificate; and
(B) copy of the inmate's social security card;
and
(2) if the inmate does not have a document described by
Subdivision (1), submit to the appropriate entity on behalf of the
inmate a request for the issuance of the applicable document.
(b) The department shall submit a request under Subsection
(a)(2) as soon as is practicable to enable the department to provide
the inmate with the applicable document when the department
discharges or releases the inmate.
(c) This section does not apply to an inmate who:
(1) is not legally present in the United States; or
(2) was not a resident of this state before the person
was placed in the custody of the department.
SECTION 2. This Act takes effect January 1, 2020.
______________________________ ______________________________
President of the Senate Speaker of the House
I certify that H.B. No. 918 was passed by the House on May 2,
2019, by the following vote: Yeas 141, Nays 0, 1 present, not
voting.
______________________________
Chief Clerk of the House
I certify that H.B. No. 918 was passed by the Senate on May
17, 2019, by the following vote: Yeas 31, Nays 0.
______________________________
Secretary of the Senate
APPROVED: _____________________
Date
_____________________
Governor