Bill: HB 1083, 84(R) - 2015

Committee

House Corrections

Vote Recommendation

Vote Recommendation Economic Freedom Property Rights Personal Responsibility Limited Government Individual Liberty
Yes Neutral Neutral Neutral Positive Positive

Author(s)

Marisa Marquez

Co-Author(s)

Ryan Guillen

Bill Caption

Relating to a mental health assessment of certain inmates of the Texas Department of Criminal Justice.

Fiscal Notes

No fiscal implication to the State or units of local government is anticipated.


Bill Analysis

HB 1083 would amend the chapter entitled “Inmate Welfare” within the Government Code to designate that prior to solitary confinement an inmate must have an appropriate medical or mental health care professional to perform an assessment that the inmate is capable to be placed into an administrative segregation.

Vote Recommendation Notes

Since the Ruiz v. Estelle ruling that the Texas Department of Corrections was in violation of our rights ensured to us by the U.S. constitution, there have been many legislators, lobbyists, nonprofits, and other interested parties attempting to reform our prison system to be more aligned to our founders’ vision of reformation. HB 1083 would be taking a small step to reform the correctional system to comply to our constitutional protections. This bill intends to restore our Eighth Amendment right to not be inflicted with "cruel and unusual punishments."


There is research that indicates that those within solitary confinement are more likely to commit suicide than those who remain in general population (Reeves & Tamburello, 2014). The assessment that would be mandated by HB 1083 can be perceived as a warranted precautionary measure to make sure prisons are in compliance with our Eighth amendment rights.


We support this bill as being aligned with limited government principle.

Organizations Supporting

Mental Health America of Texas
National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) Texas

Source URL (retrieved on 03/28/2024 08:03 PM): http://reports.texasaction.com/bill/84r/hb1083?print_view=true