88R7401 MZM-D     By: Leo-Wilson H.B. No. 2805       A BILL TO BE ENTITLED   AN ACT   relating to the consideration of certain information by a parole   panel in determining whether to release an inmate on parole.          BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:          SECTION 1.  Subchapter E, Chapter 508, Government Code, is   amended by adding Section 508.1415 to read as follows:          Sec. 508.1415.  ADDITIONAL PAROLE CONSIDERATIONS.  (a)  The   board shall adopt rules requiring a parole panel considering an   inmate for release on parole to issue a subpoena under Section   508.048 for the production of disciplinary records relating to the   inmate that are maintained by the Texas Education Agency. The rules   must provide that the existence or contents of the subpoena and   information obtained in response to the subpoena are not to be   disclosed to any person other than the board and the parole panel.   The consideration of disciplinary records by a parole panel as   required by Subsection (b) is a law enforcement purpose.          (b)  In determining whether to release an inmate on parole, a   parole panel shall consider:                (1)  disciplinary records obtained under Subsection   (a);                (2)  relevant information available on the inmate's   social media accounts; and                (3)  statements submitted under Subsection (c).           (c)  Not later than the 21st day before the date a parole   panel considers an inmate for release on parole, the department   shall publish a notice on the department's Internet website and in a   newspaper of general circulation in the county in which the inmate   was convicted.  The notice must state:                (1)  the inmate's name;                (2)  the county in which the inmate was convicted;                (3)  the offense for which the inmate was convicted;                (4)  that persons residing in the county in which the   inmate was convicted may submit a written statement to the parole   panel; and                (5)  the manner and period in which a person described   by Subdivision (4) may submit a written statement to the parole   panel.          (d)  The period provided for the submission of written   statements under Subsection (c) may not be less than 10 days.          SECTION 2.  Not later than December 1, 2023, the Board of   Pardons and Paroles shall adopt the rules required by Section   508.1415, Government Code, as added by this Act.          SECTION 3.  Section 508.1415, Government Code, as added by   this Act, applies only to the consideration by a parole panel of the   release of an inmate on parole that occurs on or after December 1,   2023. The consideration by a parole panel of the release of an   inmate that occurs before December 1, 2023, is governed by the law   in effect immediately before the effective date of this Act, and the   former law is continued in effect for that purpose.          SECTION 4.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2023.