H.B. No. 2708
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 or 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 or safety
emergency.
SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2023.
______________________________ ______________________________
President of the Senate Speaker of the House
I certify that H.B. No. 2708 was passed by the House on April
28, 2023, by the following vote: Yeas 141, Nays 3, 2 present, not
voting.
______________________________
Chief Clerk of the House
I certify that H.B. No. 2708 was passed by the Senate on May
15, 2023, by the following vote: Yeas 31, Nays 0.
______________________________
Secretary of the Senate
APPROVED: _____________________
Date
_____________________
Governor