Bill Text: TX HB1140 | 2015-2016 | 84th Legislature | Enrolled


Bill Title: Relating to the confinement of pregnant prisoners in county jails.

Spectrum: Bipartisan Bill

Status: (Passed) 2015-06-16 - Effective on 9/1/15 [HB1140 Detail]

Download: Texas-2015-HB1140-Enrolled.html
 
 
  H.B. No. 1140
 
 
 
 
AN ACT
  relating to the confinement of pregnant prisoners in county jails.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  Chapter 511, Government Code, is amended by
  adding Section 511.0103 to read as follows:
         Sec. 511.0103.  NOTIFICATION REGARDING POLICY CHANGE. In
  the manner prescribed by the commission, a county jail shall notify
  the commission of any change in the jail's policies and procedures
  related to:
               (1)  the provision of health care to pregnant
  prisoners; and
               (2)  the placement of a pregnant prisoner in solitary
  confinement or administrative segregation.
         SECTION 2.  (a) In this section, "commission" means the
  Commission on Jail Standards.
         (b)  Not later than September 1, 2016, each sheriff shall
  report to the commission regarding the implementation in the county
  jails in the sheriff's county of policies and procedures to provide
  adequate care to pregnant prisoners confined in the jail.  A report
  to the commission must be on a form prescribed by the commission and
  include the following:
               (1)  a description of the sheriff's actions to comply
  with the rules and procedures adopted under Section 511.009(a)(18),
  Government Code, and any policies adopted by the sheriff regarding
  the placement of a pregnant prisoner in solitary confinement or
  administrative segregation;
               (2)  information regarding the health care provided to
  a pregnant prisoner, including the availability of:
                     (A)  obstetrical or gynecological care;
                     (B)  prenatal health care visits;
                     (C)  mental health care; and
                     (D)  drug abuse or chemical dependency treatment;
               (3)  a detailed summary of the following as applicable
  to pregnant prisoners:
                     (A)  nutritional standards, including the average
  caloric intake of a pregnant prisoner and other dietary
  information;
                     (B)  work assignments;
                     (C)  housing conditions; and
                     (D)  situations in which a pregnant prisoner has
  been restrained, including the reason a determination to use
  restraints was made under Section 361.082, Local Government Code;
  and
               (4)  the number of miscarriages experienced by pregnant
  prisoners confined in the jail between September 1, 2015, and the
  date the report is submitted.
         (c)  Not later than December 1, 2016, the commission shall
  compile, analyze, and summarize the information contained in the
  reports submitted by sheriffs under Subsection (b) of this section.
  The commission shall provide a copy of the summary to:
               (1)  the governor;
               (2)  the lieutenant governor;
               (3)  the speaker of the house of representatives; and
               (4)  each standing committee of the senate and house of
  representatives having primary jurisdiction over matters relating
  to corrections.
         (d)  As soon as practicable after the effective date of this
  Act, the commission shall prescribe the form for a report required
  to be submitted under Subsection (b) of this section.
         (e)  This section expires February 1, 2017.
         SECTION 3.  Not later than December 1, 2015, the Commission
  on Jail Standards shall adopt rules to implement Section 511.0103,
  Government Code, as added by this Act.
         SECTION 4.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2015.
 
 
  ______________________________ ______________________________
     President of the Senate Speaker of the House     
 
 
         I certify that H.B. No. 1140 was passed by the House on April
  30, 2015, by the following vote:  Yeas 125, Nays 16, 1 present, not
  voting; and that the House concurred in Senate amendments to H.B.
  No. 1140 on May 22, 2015, by the following vote:  Yeas 104, Nays 26,
  3 present, not voting.
 
  ______________________________
  Chief Clerk of the House   
 
         I certify that H.B. No. 1140 was passed by the Senate, with
  amendments, on May 20, 2015, by the following vote:  Yeas 27, Nays
  3.
 
  ______________________________
  Secretary of the Senate   
  APPROVED: __________________
                  Date       
   
           __________________
                Governor       
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