Bill Text: TX HB177 | 2013-2014 | 83rd Legislature | Introduced

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Bill Title: Relating to housing prisoners in a tent or other facility in lieu of a county jail.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Republican 2-0)

Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2013-04-11 - Left pending in committee [HB177 Detail]

Download: Texas-2013-HB177-Introduced.html

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83R274 MAW-D
By: Larson H.B. No. 177

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to housing prisoners in a tent or other facility in lieu of
a county jail.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. The heading to Section 351.0035, Local
Government Code, is amended to read as follows:
Sec. 351.0035. [TEMPORARY] HOUSING PRISONERS IN TENTS OR
OTHER FACILITIES IN LIEU OF COUNTY JAIL.
SECTION 2. Sections 351.0035(a) and (b), Local Government
Code, are amended to read as follows:
(a) A [On request of the sheriff and the commissioners court
of a county, the Commission on Jail Standards shall authorize a]
county may [to] house a prisoner in a tent or other facility that is
not a county jail for the duration of the prisoner's sentence.
(b) The Commission on Jail Standards shall adopt rules that
govern the [temporary] housing of prisoners in a tent or other
facility that is not a county jail, including a specific
requirement for:
(1) the classification and separation of prisoners;
(2) the supervision of prisoners;
(3) safety, sanitation, and health;
(4) the structure and maintenance of the facility;
(5) the provision of bunks or sleeping areas for
prisoners or other furnishings for the facility;
(6) the space and capacity in the facility; and
(7) the enforcement of a rule the commission adopts
under this subsection.
SECTION 3. This Act takes effect immediately if it receives
a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as
provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution. If this
Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this
Act takes effect September 1, 2013.