Bill Text: TX HB45 | 2021 | 87th Legislature 1st Special Session | Introduced

Texas House Bill 45 (Prior Session Legislation)

Introduced

Bill Title: Relating to the reentry and reintegration programs provided by the Texas Department of Criminal Justice.

Sponsorship: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1)

Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2021-07-07 - Filed [HB45 Detail]

Download: Texas-2021-HB45-Introduced.html

	87S10171 BDP-D

	By: Reynolds	H.B. No. 45



	A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
	AN ACT
	relating to the reentry and reintegration programs provided by the
	Texas Department of Criminal Justice.
	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
	SECTION 1. Sections 501.092(b) and (g), Government Code,
	are amended to read as follows:
	(b) The reentry and reintegration plan adopted under this
	section must:
	(1) incorporate the use of the risk and needs
	assessment instrument adopted under Section 501.0921;
	(2) provide for programs that address the assessed
	needs of offenders and require the programs to begin as soon as
	practicable after the offender is taken into the custody of the
	department;
	(3) provide for a comprehensive network of transition
	programs to address the needs of offenders released or discharged
	from a correctional facility, including following the completion of
	a period of parole or mandatory supervision;
	(4) identify and define the transition services that
	are to be provided by the department and which offenders are
	eligible for those services;
	(5) coordinate the provision of reentry and
	reintegration services provided to offenders through state-funded
	and volunteer programs across divisions of the department to:
	(A) target eligible offenders efficiently; and
	(B) ensure maximum use of existing facilities,
	personnel, equipment, supplies, and other resources;
	(6) provide for collecting and maintaining data
	regarding the number of offenders who received reentry and
	reintegration services and the number of offenders who were
	eligible for but did not receive those services, including
	offenders who did not participate in those services;
	(7) provide for evaluating the effectiveness of the
	reentry and reintegration services provided to offenders by
	collecting, maintaining, and reporting outcome information,
	including recidivism data as applicable;
	(8) identify providers of existing local programs and
	transitional services with whom the department may contract under
	Section 495.028 to implement the reentry and reintegration plan;
	and
	(9) subject to Subsection (f), provide for the sharing
	of information between local coordinators, persons with whom the
	department contracts under Section 495.028, and other providers of
	services as necessary to adequately assess and address the needs of
	each offender.
	(g) The programs provided under Subsections (b)(2) and (3)
	must:
	(1) be implemented by highly skilled staff who are
	experienced in working with inmate reentry and reintegration
	programs;
	(2) provide offenders with:
	(A) individualized case management and a full
	continuum of care;
	(B) life-skills training, including information
	about:
	(i) budgeting and [,] money management;
	(ii) [,] nutrition [,] and exercise; and
	(iii) the development of prosocial behavior
	and positive relationships;
	(C) education and, if an offender has a learning
	disability, special education; and
	(D) spiritual guidance, if requested by the
	offender [~~employment training;~~
	[~~(E)~~ ~~appropriate treatment programs, including~~
	~~substance abuse and mental health treatment programs; and~~
	[~~(F)~~ ~~parenting and relationship building~~
	~~classes~~]; and
	(3) be designed to build for former offenders
	post-release and post-discharge support from the community into
	which an offender is released or discharged, including support from
	agencies and organizations within that community.
	SECTION 2. This Act takes effect on the 91st day after the
	last day of the legislative session.