Texas 2023 - 88th Regular

Texas House Bill HB353

Filed

11/14/22

Out of House Committee

4/19/23

Voted on by House

Out of Senate Committee

Voted on by Senate

Governor Action

Bill Becomes Law

Caption

Relating to parole determinations and individual treatment plans for inmates.

Impact

If enacted, HB 353 would significantly reshape how the parole process operates by requiring individualized treatment plans for each inmate upon their admission to the TDCJ. Regular assessments will also be necessary to ensure that the plans are updated in alignment with the inmates' progress toward rehabilitation. Moreover, the bill requires the parole board to take into account the established treatment plans when making decisions regarding parole eligibility, which could help to foster a more rehabilitative atmosphere within the state’s correctional facilities.

Summary

House Bill 353 aims to enhance the parole determination process and ensure that individual treatment plans are strategically established for inmates within the Texas Department of Criminal Justice (TDCJ). The bill mandates that parole panels provide written explanations for their decisions, which will now include specific actions that inmates must undertake to rectify issues leading to their denial of parole. The intention is to streamline the path towards rehabilitation by clearly communicating the necessary steps an inmate must take to improve their chances for future parole approval.

Sentiment

The general sentiment surrounding HB 353 was supportive, particularly among advocacy groups focused on criminal justice reform and rehabilitation. Stakeholders from organizations such as Texas Cure expressed enthusiasm for the bill, emphasizing its potential for advancing inmates' rights and enhancing public safety through improved rehabilitation strategies. However, some concerns were raised regarding the implementation of these changes and whether sufficient resources would be allocated to effectively support these new mandates.

Contention

Despite the overall support for HB 353, there were discussions surrounding the feasibility of its provisions. Critics of the bill highlighted potential challenges in the establishment and monitoring of individual treatment plans, raising questions about the capacity of the TDCJ to implement such extensive changes effectively. Additionally, there were worries over whether the bill would lead to substantial improvements in the actual rehabilitation of inmates or merely remain as a procedural adjustment without meaningful impact.

Texas Constitutional Statutes Affected

Government Code

Chapter 508. Parole And Mandatory Supervision
- Section: 1411
- Section: 144
- Section: 1445
- Section: 152
- Section: 1411
- Section: 144
- Section: 1445
- Section: 152

Companion Bills

No companion bills found.

Previously Filed As

TX HB2793

Relating to parole determinations and individual treatment plans for inmates.

TX HB1424

Relating to individual treatment plans for inmates.

TX HB2395

Relating to individual treatment plans for inmates.

TX HB2289

Relating to the continuation and functions of the Texas Board of Criminal Justice, the Texas Department of Criminal Justice, and the Windham School District and to the functions of the Board of Pardons and Paroles and the Correctional Managed Health Care Committee.

TX SB213

TX HB5525

Relating to parole guidelines and procedures for inmates convicted of an offense committed when younger than 18 years of age.

TX HB228

Relating to pardons and paroles; to amend Sections 15-22-26, 15-22-28, 15-22-37, and 15-22-43, Code of Alabama 1975, to require the Board of Pardons and Paroles to give weighted consideration to an inmate's age when determining whether to grant parole, to require the board to hold a rehearing once parole is denied for certain inmates, to provide for appellate relief for a prisoner with a serious chronic health condition who was denied parole in certain circumstances; to require the board to hold a medical parole hearing within a specified period of time of an inmate becoming eligible for medical parole; provide for appellate relief for an inmate who was denied medical parole; to amend Section 14-14-5, Code of Alabama 1975, to provide that an inmate released on medical furlough may reside in any state; to add Section 15-22-25.5 to the Code of Alabama 1975, to provide that an inmate may attend his or her parole hearing virtually; and to make nonsubstantive, technical revisions to update the existing code language to current style.

TX SB1361

Parole Board; eligibility determinations, reports.

TX HB2169

Parole Board; eligibility determinations, reports.

TX HB4332

Relating to the procedures for and reporting regarding the consideration of inmates for release on parole and the frequency with which the Board of Pardons and Paroles reconsiders inmates for release on parole.