88R12718 MZM-F By: Swanson H.B. No. 2708 A BILL TO BE ENTITLED AN ACT relating to visitation policies for inmates and state jail felony defendants. BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: SECTION 1. Section 501.010, Government Code, is amended by adding Subsection (b-2) to read as follows: (b-2) Regardless of the implementation of video visitation or visitation by other electronic means, the uniform visitation policy must allow in-person visitation for eligible inmates, provided that the policy may allow the temporary suspension of in-person visitation for a health and safety emergency. SECTION 2. Section 507.030, Government Code, is amended by adding Subsection (c) to read as follows: (c) Regardless of the implementation of video visitation or visitation by other electronic means, the visitation policy must allow in-person visitation for defendants who are eligible to receive visitors, provided that the policy may allow the temporary suspension of in-person visitation for a health and safety emergency. SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2023.