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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to housing prisoners in a tent or other facility in lieu of |
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a county jail. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. The heading to Section 351.0035, Local |
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Government Code, is amended to read as follows: |
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Sec. 351.0035. [TEMPORARY] HOUSING PRISONERS IN TENTS OR |
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OTHER FACILITIES IN LIEU OF COUNTY JAIL. |
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SECTION 2. Sections 351.0035(a) and (b), Local Government |
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Code, are amended to read as follows: |
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(a) A [On request of the sheriff and the commissioners court
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of a county, the Commission on Jail Standards shall authorize a] |
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county may [to] house a prisoner in a tent or other facility that is |
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not a county jail for the duration of the prisoner's sentence. |
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(b) The Commission on Jail Standards shall adopt rules that |
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govern the [temporary] housing of prisoners in a tent or other |
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facility that is not a county jail, including a specific |
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requirement for: |
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(1) the classification and separation of prisoners; |
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(2) the supervision of prisoners; |
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(3) safety, sanitation, and health; |
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(4) the structure and maintenance of the facility; |
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(5) the provision of bunks or sleeping areas for |
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prisoners or other furnishings for the facility; |
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(6) the space and capacity in the facility; and |
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(7) the enforcement of a rule the commission adopts |
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under this subsection. |
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SECTION 3. This Act takes effect immediately if it receives |
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a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as |
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provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution. If this |
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Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this |
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Act takes effect September 1, 2015. |