88R14449 BDP-D
By: Murr H.B. No. 4921
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to the establishment of an adult education pilot program
for certain inmates of the Texas Department of Criminal Justice.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Section 12.255, Education Code, is amended by
adding Subsection (a-1) to read as follows:
(a-1) Notwithstanding Subsection (c) or any other law and in
addition to the number of charters allowed under this section and
Subchapter D, the commissioner, on the basis of submitted
proposals, shall grant a charter to a nonprofit entity described by
Section 12.256 to provide an adult education program to inmates
under the pilot program established under Section 493.035,
Government Code.
SECTION 2. Chapter 493, Government Code, is amended by
adding Section 493.035 to read as follows:
Sec. 493.035. ADULT EDUCATION PILOT PROGRAM. (a) The
department shall establish a pilot program under which one or more
nonprofit entities provide an adult education program under
Subchapter G, Chapter 12, Education Code, to enable inmates
described by Subsection (b) to successfully complete:
(1) a high school program that can lead to a diploma;
and
(2) career and technology education courses that can
lead to industry certification.
(b) An inmate who is at least 26 years of age and not more
than 50 years of age is eligible to enroll in an adult education
program operated under the pilot program if:
(1) the inmate:
(A) has failed to complete the curriculum
requirements for high school graduation; or
(B) has failed to perform satisfactorily on an
assessment instrument required for high school graduation; and
(2) the department approves the inmate's enrollment in
the program after:
(A) assessing the inmate's suitability for
participation in the program using the results of the risk and needs
assessment instrument adopted under Section 501.0921; and
(B) evaluating the inmate's conduct while in the
custody of the department.
(c) In admitting inmates to an adult education program
operated under the pilot program, the nonprofit entity shall give
priority to an inmate who has not earned a high school equivalency
certificate.
(d) The department shall issue a request for proposals from
nonprofit entities described by Section 12.256, Education Code, to
provide an adult education program under the pilot program. The
department shall require that each applicant identify in the
applicant's proposal each region of this state in which the
applicant is able to operate an adult education program under the
pilot program.
(e) The department shall contract with at least one
qualified applicant to operate an adult education program under the
pilot program.
(f) The department, in consultation with each nonprofit
entity that the department contracts with under this section, shall
identify at least three and not more than five facilities operated
by the department that are suitable to serve as sites for the pilot
program.
SECTION 3. Not later than September 1, 2024, the Texas
Department of Criminal Justice shall establish and implement the
pilot program required by Section 493.035, Government Code, as
added by this Act.
SECTION 4. This Act takes effect immediately if it receives
a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as
provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution. If this
Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this
Act takes effect September 1, 2023.