Bill Text: TX HB4837 | 2023-2024 | 88th Legislature | Engrossed
Bill Title: Relating to a veteran housing program established by the Texas Department of Criminal Justice.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 4-0)
Status: (Engrossed - Dead) 2023-05-12 - Referred to Vet Affairs [HB4837 Detail]
Download: Texas-2023-HB4837-Engrossed.html
| By: Lopez of Bexar, Garcia, Plesa, Collier | H.B. No. 4837 | |
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| 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 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, 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, 2023. | ||
