89R15971 MCF-D
By: Garcia of Bexar H.B. No. 5639
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to a veteran housing program established by the Texas
Department of Criminal Justice.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Subchapter D, Chapter 501, Government Code, is
amended by adding Section 501.115 to read as follows:
Sec. 501.115. VETERAN HOUSING PROGRAM. (a) The department
shall establish a housing program for inmates who are veterans who
served not less than 180 days on active duty in the United States
armed forces and were honorably discharged.
(b) The program established under Subsection (a) must:
(1) dedicate certain cellblocks or dormitories for use
in the program; and
(2) include procedures to:
(A) verify the eligibility of each inmate during
the diagnostic process; and
(B) allow an inmate who is a veteran described by
Subsection (a) to opt in to the housing dedicated for use in the
program under Subdivision (1).
(c) In housing inmates under the program established under
Subsection (a), the department:
(1) shall comply with the requirements of Section
501.112; and
(2) may not house an inmate in a cellblock or dormitory
dedicated for use in the program if the department determines that
housing the inmate in the cellblock or dormitory would jeopardize
the safety or security of other inmates or staff.
(d) A cellblock or dormitory dedicated for use in the
program under Subsection (b)(1) may, if necessary, be used to house
inmates who are not veterans described by Subsection (a).
SECTION 2. As soon as practicable after the effective date
of this Act, the Texas Department of Criminal Justice shall
establish the program required by Section 501.115, Government Code,
as added by this Act.
SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2025.