88R6123 MCF-D
By: J. Johnson of Harris H.B. No. 1435
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to family liaison officers in county jails.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Chapter 511, Government Code, is amended by
adding Section 511.024 to read as follows:
Sec. 511.024. FAMILY LIAISON OFFICER. (a) The commission
shall require the sheriff of a county to designate at least one
employee at the county jail to serve as a family liaison officer for
the jail to facilitate the maintenance of ties between prisoners
and their families for the purpose of reducing recidivism.
(b) In making a designation under Subsection (a), the
sheriff shall give preference to employees with experience in
social work, psychology, or a related field.
(c) A family liaison officer shall:
(1) provide prisoners' families with information about
the classification status, location, and health of prisoners at the
county jail; and
(2) notify prisoners within a reasonable time about
emergencies involving their families, such as a medical emergency
or death in the family, and provide prisoners with other necessary
information relating to their families.
(d) A family liaison officer may not disclose information
under Subsection (c)(1) about a prisoner's health unless the
prisoner has authorized the release of the prisoner's medical
information to that family member.
SECTION 2. This Act takes effect September 1, 2023.