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Relating to conditions of community supervision applicable to certain intoxication offenses.
No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.
SB 1147 would stipulate that if a judge finds that a defendant would benefit from medication-assisted treatment for alcohol dependence, the judge may require the defendant to submit to an evaluation by a licensed physician as a condition of community supervision to determine whether the defendant would benefit from such treatment. Only a licensed physician may recommend that a defendant participate in medication-assisted treatment. In addition, a defendant would be entitled to refuse to participate in this treatment, and a judge would not be able to require the participation in the treatment as part of community supervision.
Texas Action supports SB 1147 as it promotes the principle of limited government and personal responsibility. The bill would not require defendants' to take any medication, it would simply evaluate them and provide it as an option of a physician feels it could be beneficial. This does not absolve an offender's responsibility, rather it gives them access to tools which could potentially reduce their recidivism rate, saving the state money in the long run.
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