TITLE: Relating to housing prisoners in a tent or other facility in lieu of a county jail.

SUMMARY: Relating to housing prisoners in a tent or other facility in lieu of a county jail.

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