Bill Text: TX HB2451 | 2017-2018 | 85th Legislature | Introduced

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Bill Title: Relating to a proxy for a member of the legislature visiting a facility operated by the Texas Department of Criminal Justice.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)

Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2017-04-12 - Left pending in committee [HB2451 Detail]

Download: Texas-2017-HB2451-Introduced.html

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85R12113 JRR-D
By: Reynolds H.B. No. 2451

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to a proxy for a member of the legislature visiting a
facility operated by the Texas Department of Criminal Justice.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Section 501.010, Government Code, is amended by
amending Subsection (a-1) and adding Subsection (a-2) to read as
follows:
(a-1) The institutional division shall allow the governor,
members of the legislature, persons designated under Subsection
(a-2), and members of the executive and judicial branches to enter
at proper hours any part of a facility operated by the division
where inmates are housed or worked[,] for the purpose of observing
the operations of the division. A visitor described by this
subsection may talk with inmates away from institutional division
employees.
(a-2) A member of the legislature may designate a person to
serve as the member's proxy for the purpose of observing the
operations of the institutional division as authorized by
Subsection (a-1). A designation made under this subsection is
valid until the earlier of:
(1) the second anniversary of the date that the person
is designated under this subsection; or
(2) the date the member ceases to be a member of the
legislature.
SECTION 2. Section 507.030, Government Code, is amended by
amending Subsection (a-1) and adding Subsection (a-2) to read as
follows:
(a-1) The state jail division shall allow the governor,
members of the legislature, persons designated under Subsection
(a-2), and officials of the executive and judicial branches to
enter during business hours any part of a facility operated by the
division[,] for the purpose of observing the operations of the
division. A visitor described by this subsection may talk with
defendants away from division employees.
(a-2) A member of the legislature may designate a person to
serve as the member's proxy for the purpose of observing the
operations of the state jail division as authorized by Subsection
(a-1). A designation made under this subsection is valid until the
earlier of:
(1) the second anniversary of the date that the person
is designated under this subsection; or
(2) the date the member ceases to be a member of the
legislature.
SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2017.