88R7589 MCF-D
By: Jones of Harris H.B. No. 3685
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to the award of time credits to certain persons released on
parole or to mandatory supervision.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Subchapter E, Chapter 508, Government Code, is
amended by adding Section 508.1559 to read as follows:
Sec. 508.1559. TIME CREDITS FOR COMPLETION OF CERTAIN
CONDITIONS OF PAROLE OR MANDATORY SUPERVISION. (a) This section
applies only to a releasee who:
(1) is serving a sentence for an offense punishable as
a felony of the third degree, other than an offense:
(A) included as a reportable conviction or
adjudication under Article 62.001(5), Code of Criminal Procedure;
(B) involving family violence as defined by
Section 71.004, Family Code; or
(C) under Section 20.03, Penal Code; and
(2) has fully satisfied any order to pay restitution
to a victim.
(b) A releasee is entitled to time credits toward the
completion of the releasee's period of parole or mandatory
supervision in an amount equal to seven days for each month in which
the releasee is in compliance with the conditions of the releasee's
parole or mandatory supervision.
(c) In addition to the time credits to which a releasee is
entitled under Subsection (b), a releasee is entitled to receive
any combination of time credits toward the completion of the
releasee's period of parole or mandatory supervision in accordance
with Subsections (d), (e), and (f) if the releasee was required as a
condition of parole or mandatory supervision to:
(1) make a payment described by Subsection (d);
(2) complete a treatment or rehabilitation program
described by Subsection (e); or
(3) earn a diploma, certificate, or degree described
by Subsection (f).
(d) A releasee is entitled to time credits toward the
completion of the releasee's period of parole or mandatory
supervision for the full payment of court costs, fines, attorney's
fees, and restitution as follows:
(1) court costs: 15 days;
(2) fines: 30 days;
(3) attorney's fees: 30 days; and
(4) restitution: 60 days.
(e) A releasee is entitled to time credits toward the
completion of the releasee's period of parole or mandatory
supervision for the successful completion of treatment or
rehabilitation programs as follows:
(1) parenting class or parental responsibility
program: 30 days;
(2) anger management program: 30 days;
(3) life skills training program: 30 days;
(4) vocational, technical, or career education or
training program: 60 days;
(5) alcohol or substance abuse counseling or
treatment: 90 days;
(6) mental health program: 90 days; and
(7) any other faith-based, volunteer, or
community-based program ordered or approved by the parole panel: 30
days.
(f) A releasee is entitled to time credits toward the
completion of the releasee's period of parole or mandatory
supervision for earning the following diplomas, certificates, or
degrees:
(1) a high school diploma or high school equivalency
certificate: 90 days; and
(2) an associate degree: 120 days.
(g) If a releasee's parole or mandatory supervision is
revoked, all of the time credits to which the releasee is entitled
under this section are forfeited and may not be credited toward the
remaining portion of the releasee's sentence.
SECTION 2. The change in law made by this Act applies only
to a person who is released on parole or to mandatory supervision
for an offense committed on or after the effective date of this Act.
A person who is released on parole or to mandatory supervision for
an offense committed before the effective date of this Act is
governed by the law in effect on the date the offense was committed,
and the former law is continued in effect for that purpose. For
purposes of this section, an offense was committed before the
effective date of this Act if any element of the offense occurred
before that date.
SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2023.