HB1416 - Relating to program accessibility for female inmates of the Texas Department of Criminal Justice.

  89R4677 BCH-F     By: Allen H.B. No. 1416       A BILL TO BE ENTITLED   AN ACT   relating to program accessibility for female inmates of the Texas   Department of Criminal Justice.          BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:          SECTION 1.  Section 501.027, Government Code, is amended to   read as follows:          Sec. 501.027.  ACCESS TO PROGRAMS BY FEMALE INMATES. (a)   The department shall develop and implement policies that increase   and promote a female inmate's access to programs , including   parenting classes and educational, vocational, substance use   treatment, rehabilitation, life skills training, and prerelease   programs, offered to inmates in the custody of the department,   including programs offered to defendants confined in state jail   felony facilities [ educational, vocational, substance use   treatment, rehabilitation, life skills training, and prerelease   programs ]. The department may not reduce or limit a male inmate's   access to a program to meet the requirements of this section.          (b)   The department shall develop and implement policies   that:                 (1)     require each facility to make the programs   described by Subsection (a) available and accessible to a female   inmate not later than the 45th day after the date the inmate arrives   at the facility;                 (2)     ensure female inmates have access to program   opportunities, including master's level education courses, that   are equitable to the program opportunities that are provided to   male inmates; and                 (3)     ensure that vocational programs and any related   certifications are substantively relevant to current workforce   demands and opportunities.           (c)   Not later than December 31 of each year, the department   shall:                (1)  prepare and submit to the governor, the lieutenant   governor, the speaker of the house of representatives, each   standing committee of the legislature having primary jurisdiction   over the department, and the reentry task force described by   Section 501.098 a written report that includes:                      (A)  a description of any department policies that   were created, modified, or eliminated during the preceding year to   meet the requirements of this section; and                      (B)  a list of programs available to female   inmates in the custody of the department during the preceding year;   and                (2)  publish the report on the department's Internet   website.          SECTION 2.  As soon as practicable after the effective date   of this Act, the Texas Department of Criminal Justice shall develop   and implement the policies necessary to implement the changes in   law made by this Act.          SECTION 3.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2025.