| 1 | 1 | | 88R2801 BDP-D |
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| 2 | 2 | | By: Allen H.B. No. 966 |
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| 3 | 3 | | |
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| 4 | 4 | | |
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| 5 | 5 | | A BILL TO BE ENTITLED |
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| 6 | 6 | | AN ACT |
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| 7 | 7 | | relating to information on classes or programs required to be |
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| 8 | 8 | | completed before an inmate is released on parole. |
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| 9 | 9 | | BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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| 10 | 10 | | SECTION 1. Chapter 493, Government Code, is amended by |
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| 11 | 11 | | adding Section 493.035 to read as follows: |
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| 12 | 12 | | Sec. 493.035. INFORMATION ON CLASSES AND PROGRAMS REQUIRED |
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| 13 | 13 | | FOR RELEASE ON PAROLE. The department shall publish on the |
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| 14 | 14 | | department's Internet website the information required under |
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| 15 | 15 | | Section 508.056. |
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| 16 | 16 | | SECTION 2. Subchapter B, Chapter 508, Government Code, is |
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| 17 | 17 | | amended by adding Section 508.056 to read as follows: |
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| 18 | 18 | | Sec. 508.056. INFORMATION ON CLASSES AND PROGRAMS REQUIRED |
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| 19 | 19 | | FOR RELEASE ON PAROLE. The board shall publish on the board's |
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| 20 | 20 | | Internet website the following information for each class or |
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| 21 | 21 | | program that the board requires an inmate to complete before |
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| 22 | 22 | | releasing the inmate on parole: |
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| 23 | 23 | | (1) curriculum for the class or program; |
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| 24 | 24 | | (2) qualifications and relevant certifications of any |
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| 25 | 25 | | instructor for the class or program; |
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| 26 | 26 | | (3) completion rates of the class or program; |
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| 27 | 27 | | (4) accommodations made for inmates with disabilities |
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| 28 | 28 | | and inmates whose primary language is not English to ensure that |
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| 29 | 29 | | those inmates are able to fully participate in the class or program; |
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| 30 | 30 | | (5) methods used to assess inmates for participation |
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| 31 | 31 | | in the class or program; |
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| 32 | 32 | | (6) results of any independent evaluations used by the |
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| 33 | 33 | | board when determining whether to require the class or program; and |
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| 34 | 34 | | (7) if the class or program is provided by a private |
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| 35 | 35 | | vendor: |
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| 36 | 36 | | (A) information on the contract between the |
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| 37 | 37 | | department and the private vendor; and |
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| 38 | 38 | | (B) the vendor's history of providing the class |
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| 39 | 39 | | or program at other correctional facilities. |
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| 40 | 40 | | SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2023. |
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