TITLE: Relating to the payment of certain costs, fines, fees, or restitution by a defendant placed on community supervision.

SUMMARY: Relating to the payment of certain costs, fines, fees, or restitution by a defendant placed on community supervision.

FULL TEXT:
AN ACT relating to the payment of certain costs, fines, fees, or restitution by a defendant placed on community supervision. BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: SECTION 1. Article 42A.701, Code of Criminal Procedure, is amended by adding Subsection (e-1) to read as follows: (e-1) Notwithstanding Subsection (e), on the expiration of the period of community supervision of a defendant who has satisfactorily fulfilled the conditions of community supervision, other than a condition requiring the defendant to pay costs, fines, fees, or restitution, the judge shall discharge the defendant if: (1) the defendant has agreed to pay any unpaid amount under a payment plan entered into under Section 76.019, Government Code; and (2) the defendant provides appropriate documentation of the plan to the judge. SECTION 2. Chapter 76, Government Code, is amended by adding Section 76.019 to read as follows: Sec. 76.019. PAYMENT PLAN. (a) A department shall establish policies and procedures to authorize a defendant who has fulfilled all programmatic requirements of the defendant's community supervision but has not paid all of the supervision fees owed to the department or any costs, fines, fees, or restitution ordered as a condition of community supervision, to pay the unpaid amount under a payment plan. (b) A payment plan under Subsection (a) must provide that the defendant: (1) promises to pay the unpaid amount as specified by the plan; and (2) is required to make payments under the plan after the date on which the defendant is discharged under Article 42A.701(e-1), Code of Criminal Procedure. SECTION 3. Not later than February 1, 2018, each community supervision and corrections department shall adopt policies and procedures required by Section 76.019, Government Code, as added by this Act. SECTION 4. This Act takes effect September 1, 2017.