Thursday, May 24, 2007

Good Criminal Justice Bills headed to the Governor

Still no word on the fate of new prisons in Texas' forthcoming state budget, which might be unveiled as early as tomorrow, I'm told. But thanks to the indispensible Texas Criminal Justice Coalition, I received this email update on more positive criminal justice legislation that's passed the Texas Legislature, including several bills already sent to the Governor:

Sent to the Governor!

HB 312 by Representative Turner (D-Houston), and carried by Senator Whitmire (D-Houston) in the Senate - which ends technical revocations for fee non-payment- has been Sent to the Governor! (See prior Grits coverage.)

Click here for more information.

View TCJC fact sheet

View TCJC testimony

View Senate Committee on Criminal Justice report


HB 1178 by Representatives Escobar (D-Kingsville) and McClendon (D-San Antonio), and carried by Senator Ellis (D-Houston) in the Senate - which ensures that defendants are informed about their right to a lawyer in criminal cases - has been Sent to the Governor!
(See prior Grits coverage.)

Click here for more information

View TCJC fact sheet

View FAQs

View Senate Committee on Criminal Justice report


Key House Bills that Passed the Senate!

HB 1678 by Representatives Madden (R-Plano), Turner (D-Houston), Haggerty (R-El Paso), McReynolds (D-Lufkin), and Hochberg (D-Houston), and carried by Senator Whitmire (D-Houston) in the Senate - which strengthens probation to stop the costly and ineffective flow into prisons - passed the Senate on Monday, May 21, 2007, and was signed in the House! (See prior Grits coverage.)

Click here for more information.

View TCJC fact sheet

View TCJC testimony

View Senate Committee on Criminal Justice report


HB 3200 by Madden (R-Plano), and carried by Senator Whitmire (D-Houston) in the Senate - which gives probation departments incentives to utilize progressive sanctions programs by establishing a new funding formula - passed the Senate on Wednesday, May 23, 2007! (See prior Grits coverage.)

Click here for more information.

View TCJC fact sheet

View Senate Committee on Criminal Justice report


HB 1121 by Representatives Anchia (D-Dallas), Peña (D-Edinburg), and Riddle (R-Houston), and carried by Senator Van de Putte (D-San Antonio) in the Senate - which ensures that police, prosecutors, and courts punish traffickers - passed the Senate on Wednesday, May 23, 2007, and was signed in the House today!

Click here for more information.

View TCJC fact sheet

View testimony

View House Committee on Criminal Jurisprudence Report

HB 3736 by Representative McReynolds (D-Lufkin), and carried by Senator Hinojosa (D-McAllen) - which lowers parole caseloads to allow for better supervision - passed the Senate on Wednesday, May 23, 2007, and was signed in the House today!

Click here for more information.

View TCJC fact sheet

View TCJC testimony

View Senate Committee on Criminal Justice report

HB 431 by Representative Madden (R-Plano), and carried by Senator Whitmire (D-Houston) in the Senate - relating to the release of a defendant convicted of a state jail felony on medically recommended intensive supervision - passed the Senate on Wednesday, May 23, 2007, and was signed in the House today!

Click here for more information.

View House Research Organization bill analysis

View Senate Committee on Criminal Justice report


HB 2103 by Representatives Kolkhorst (R-Brenham) and Gonzalez Toureilles (D-Alice), and carried by Senator Ogden (R-Bryan) in the Senate - relating to a pilot program to award scholarships to certain correctional officers enrolled at Sam Houston State University - passed the Senate on Wednesday, May 23, 2007 and signed in the House today!

Click here for more information.

View House Committee on Appropriations S/C on Education report


More Bills that Passed the Senate!

HB 199 by Representatives Madden (R-Plano), Noriega (D-Houston), and Leibowitz (D-Helotes), and carried by Senator Whitmire (D-Houston) in the Senate - which creates a residential infant care program for mothers confined in TDCJ facilities - passed the Senate on Tuesday, May 22, 2007, and was signed in the House today! (See prior Grits coverage.)

Click here for more information.

View TCJC fact sheet

View testimony

View Senate Committee on Criminal Justice report


HB 47 by Representative Hodge (D-Dallas), and carried by Senator Hinojosa (D-McAllen) in the Senate - which would allow the provision of in-cell educational services to inmates in TDCJ ad seg units - passed the Senate on Tuesday, May 22, 2007, and was signed in the House today!

Click here for more information.

View House Research Organization bill analysis

View Senate Committee on Criminal Justice report

HB 1111 by Representative Turner (D-Houston), and carried by Senator Uresti (D-San Antonio) in the Senate - relating to prohibitions on and reporting concerning medical, psychiatric, and other research on children committed to the Texas Youth Commission - passed the Senate on Tuesday, May 22, 2007!

View Senate Committee on Criminal Justice report

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