88R11440 MCF-D
By: Allen H.B. No. 2718
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to the composition of the Board of Pardons and Paroles.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Section 508.031, Government Code, is amended by
adding Subsections (a-1) and (c) and amending Subsection (b) to
read as follows:
(a-1) The board must include at least:
(1) two members who have bachelor's degrees in
behavioral mental health, each of whom is:
(A) a licensed clinical social worker, as defined
by Section 505.002, Occupations Code;
(B) a licensed professional counselor, as
defined by Section 503.002, Occupations Code; or
(C) a psychologist, as defined by Section
501.002, Occupations Code;
(2) one member whose parent, sibling, child, or
grandparent has been incarcerated; and
(3) one but not more than three members who have
bachelor's degrees in criminal justice or a related field and who
are former employees of a law enforcement agency.
(b) Appointments to the board must be made without regard to
the [race, color,] disability, [sex,] religion, or age[, or
national origin] of the appointed members.
(c) The composition of the board must reflect the ethnic
diversity of the inmate population of the department, and at least
half of the members of the board must be female.
SECTION 2. The change in law made by this Act does not
affect the entitlement of a member serving on the Board of Pardons
and Paroles immediately before the effective date of this Act to
continue to serve for the remainder of the member's term. As the
terms of members expire, the governor shall appoint or reappoint
members who have the qualifications required by Section 508.031,
Government Code, as amended by this Act.
SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2023.