87R16464 JRR-D
By: González of El Paso H.B. No. 1308
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to the establishment of a task force to conduct a
comprehensive study on best practice standards for the confinement
of pregnant prisoners in county jails.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. (a) A task force is established to conduct a
comprehensive study on best practice standards for the confinement
of pregnant prisoners in county jails. The study must identify and
make recommendations regarding the following with respect to the
confinement of pregnant prisoners:
(1) current policies and procedures;
(2) barriers to accommodations and justice;
(3) best practices used in other states;
(4) policies that would improve jail standards; and
(5) any other issue the task force considers
appropriate.
(b) The Commission on Jail Standards shall appoint the
members of the task force. The task force must include at least:
(1) one representative of the Commission on Jail
Standards;
(2) one representative of a statewide organization
that advocates for incarcerated women;
(3) one representative of a statewide organization
that represents corrections professionals;
(4) one representative of a county jail;
(5) one member who is a mental health professional;
(6) one member who is an obstetrician or gynecologist;
(7) one member who is a doula providing culturally
responsive care;
(8) one member who was pregnant while incarcerated;
and
(9) one member who is a certified reentry peer support
specialist.
(c) The member appointed under Subsection (b)(1) of this
section serves as the presiding officer of the task force.
(d) The task force shall prepare a written report that
includes:
(1) a description of the activities of the task force;
(2) the findings and recommendations of the task
force;
(3) a plan for how the best practice standards
identified by the task force can be implemented statewide;
(4) any proposals for legislation; and
(5) any other matter the task force considers
appropriate.
(e) Not later than December 1, 2022, the task force shall
submit the report prepared under this section to:
(1) the governor;
(2) the lieutenant governor;
(3) the speaker of the house of representatives; and
(4) the presiding officers of the standing committees
of the senate and house of representatives having primary
jurisdiction over issues relating to criminal justice.
(f) The Commission on Jail Standards shall make the report
available to the public on the commission's Internet website.
(g) The task force is abolished and this Act expires
September 1, 2023.
SECTION 2. This Act takes effect September 1, 2021.