SB697 - Relating to an annual report by the Texas Department of Criminal Justice on post-release or post-discharge employment and certain other inmate data.

  89R3708 JDK-D     By: West S.B. No. 697       A BILL TO BE ENTITLED   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.