Highlights 77th Texas Legislature - Senate

________________ C RIMINAL
USTICE/General/General
RIMINAL JUSTICE
77 th Texas Legislature
Expunction Related to Deferred Adjudication Cases - H.B. 1415
by Representatives Farrar and Grusendorf
Senate Sponsor: Senator Armbrister
Currently, while many people accept a conviction on deferred adjudication, they generally do so with the
expectation that the offense will not affect their permanent criminal record. However, as the law currently
stands, a deferred adjudication remains a part of that record and may impede a person's ability to obtain a
desired job or position for many years after the offense.
Prohibits a criminal justice agency from disclosing to the public a person's criminal record information
regarding a deferred adjudication on or after the fifth anniversary of the discharge and dismissal if the
offense was a misdemeanor or on or after the 10th anniversary of the discharge and dismissal if the
offense was a felony.
Good Time Credit for Inmates and Parolees - H.B. 1585
by Representative Gallego, et al.
Senate Sponsor: Senator Staples
Currently, the Government Code provides sanctions for a person whose parole or mandatory supervision is
revoked. A person released on parole, mandatory supervision, or conditional pardon may be required to
serve the remaining portion of the sentence on which the inmate was released without credit for the period
the person was released, but there is no distinction made between types of releasees.
Establishes distinctions in sanctions for releasees whose parole, mandatory supervision, or conditional
pardon is revoked.
Authorizes the Texas Department of Criminal Justice (TDCJ) to restore good conduct time forfeited due to
commission of an offense while incarcerated, violation of a TDCJ rule while incarcerated, or revocation of
parole.
Organization and Duties of the Board of Pardons and Paroles - H.B. 1649
by Representative Gallego, et al.
Senate Sponsor: Senator Staples
Currently, the primary duty of the Board of Pardons and Paroles (board) is the discretionary release of
eligible inmates sentenced to the institutional division of the Texas Department of Criminal Justice. The
board is composed of 18 members appointed by the governor. Six of these members are chosen by the
governor to serve as policy board members who adopt rules relating to the decision-making process and
administer the board's responsibilities. Some concerns have been raised regarding the efficiency of the
administration of the board's duties.
Sets forth provisions relating to the administration of the board and certain duties of the policy board.
Senate Research Center 54