Relating to the frequency with which the Board of Pardons and Paroles reconsiders inmates for release on parole.

89(R) HB 4937 - House Committee Report version - Bill Text

89R23126 BCH-D

By: Harless, Hull

H.B. No. 4937

Substitute the following for H.B. No. 4937:

By: Wharton

C.S.H.B. No. 4937

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to the frequency with which the Board of Pardons and

Paroles reconsiders inmates for release on parole.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:

SECTION 1. Sections 508.141(g) and (g-1), Government Code,

are amended to read as follows:

(g) The board shall adopt a policy establishing the date on

which the board may reconsider for release an inmate who has

previously been denied release. The policy must require the board

to reconsider
the inmate
for release[
:

[
(1)

an inmate serving a sentence for an offense

listed in Section 508.149(a) or for an offense punishable as a

felony of the second or third degree under Section 22.04, Penal

Code,
] during a month designated under Subsection (g-1) by the

parole panel that denied release[
; and

[
(2)

an inmate other than an inmate described by

Subdivision (1) as soon as practicable after the first anniversary

of the date of the denial
].

(g-1) The month designated
for reconsideration
[
under

Subsection (g)(1) by the parole panel that denied release
] must
:

(1) except as provided by Subdivision (2),
begin after

the first anniversary of the date of the denial and end before the

fifth anniversary of the date of the denial
; or

(2) if
[
, unless
] the inmate is serving a sentence for

an offense under Section 22.021, Penal Code, or a life sentence for

a capital felony, [
in which event the designated month must
] begin

after the first anniversary of the date of the denial and end before

the 10th anniversary of the date of the denial.

SECTION 2. (a) Section 508.141, Government Code, as

amended by this Act, applies to any inmate who is confined in a

facility operated by or under contract with the Texas Department of

Criminal Justice on or after the effective date of this Act,

regardless of whether the offense for which the inmate is confined

occurred before, on, or after the effective date of this Act.

(b) The Board of Pardons and Paroles shall adopt a policy

consistent with Section 508.141, Government Code, as amended by

this Act, as soon as practicable after the effective date of this

Act.

SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2025.