| Vote Recommendation | Economic Freedom | Property Rights | Personal Responsibility | Limited Government | Individual Liberty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Yes | Neutral | Neutral | Positive | Neutral | Neutral |
Relating to the solicitation of pen pals by certain inmates of the Texas Department of Criminal Justice.
No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.
HB 428 would prohibit inmates incarcerated for offenses which require registration as a sex offender from placing ads on the internet to solicit pen pals.
Texas Action supports HB 428 because it advances the principle of personal responsibility. Individuals who are incarcerated are being held responsible for their crimes. As part of this accountability, an individual's rights are properly restricted while they are incarcerated. Preventing sex offenders from soliciting pen pals while confined is a reasonable restriction of rights because of the danger of those offenders potentially cultivating future victims from prison.