TITLE: Relating to an annual report by the Texas Department of Criminal Justice on post-release or post-discharge employment and certain other inmate data.

SUMMARY: Relating to an annual report by the Texas Department of Criminal Justice on post-release or post-discharge employment and certain other inmate data.

FULL TEXT:
AN ACT relating to an annual report by the Texas Department of Criminal Justice on post-release or post-discharge employment and certain other inmate data. BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: SECTION 1. Chapter 493, Government Code, is amended by adding Section 493.036 to read as follows: Sec. 493.036. ANNUAL REPORT ON POST-RELEASE OR POST-DISCHARGE EMPLOYMENT AND CERTAIN OTHER INMATE DATA. (a) Not later than January 30 of each year, the department shall: (1) submit to the legislature a report that includes: (A) the number of inmates confined in a facility operated by or under contract with the department during the previous state fiscal year, disaggregated by offense, parole eligibility, race, ethnicity, and gender; (B) the following employment information for inmates released or discharged from the department during the previous state fiscal year: (i) the average amount of time for the inmate to obtain employment following release or discharge, disaggregated by whether the inmate received training through career and technical education programs organized or sponsored by the department or the Windham School District; and (ii) the number of inmates who applied for and the number who received an occupational license following release or discharge; and (C) the following information for inmates released or discharged from the department during the previous three state fiscal years, disaggregated by facility of release or discharge: (i) the number of inmates employed, categorized by industry; and (ii) the median wage of the inmates employed, categorized by industry; and (2) publish the report on the department's Internet website. (b) The department may enter into an agreement with the Texas Workforce Commission or other third parties as necessary to facilitate the department's duties under Subsection (a). (c) The board may adopt rules necessary to administer this section. SECTION 2. Not later than January 30, 2026, the Texas Department of Criminal Justice shall submit the first report required by Section 493.036(a), Government Code, as added by this Act. SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2025.