Bill Text: TX HB2565 | 2021-2022 | 87th Legislature | Introduced

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Bill Title: Relating to the release on parole of certain inmates during a public health emergency.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)

Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2021-03-17 - Referred to Corrections [HB2565 Detail]

Download: Texas-2021-HB2565-Introduced.html

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87R7827 JRR-D
By: Crockett H.B. No. 2565

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to the release on parole of certain inmates during a public
health emergency.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Subchapter E, Chapter 508, Government Code, is
amended by adding Section 508.1455 to read as follows:
Sec. 508.1455. RELEASE ON PAROLE OF CERTAIN INMATES DURING
PUBLIC HEALTH EMERGENCY. (a) In this section, "public health
emergency" means an immediate threat from a communicable disease as
defined by Section 81.003, Health and Safety Code, that:
(1) poses a high risk of death or serious long-term
disability to a large number of people in the general population;
and
(2) creates a substantial risk of public exposure
because of the disease's high level of contagion or the method by
which the disease is transmitted.
(b) Notwithstanding any other law and regardless of whether
an inmate has completed any classes or programs that the board has
previously ordered the inmate to complete before being released on
parole, a parole panel shall consider for release and release on
parole an inmate who is eligible for release on parole if the inmate
is confined in a facility that is directly affected by a public
health emergency and:
(1) at least 25 percent of the inmates confined in the
facility are infected or suspected of being infected with the
communicable disease related to the public health emergency; or
(2) the inmate has a high risk of developing serious
symptoms or complications from the disease as determined by
guidelines established by the federal Centers for Disease Control
and Prevention.
(c) This section expires September 1, 2024.
SECTION 2. The change in law made by this Act applies to any
inmate who is confined in a facility operated by or under contract
with the Texas Department of Criminal Justice on or after the
effective date of this Act, regardless of whether the offense for
which the inmate is confined occurred before, on, or after the
effective date of this Act.
SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2021.