Title GV, Government Code

Sec. 508.032. REQUIREMENTS FOR MEMBERSHIP. (a) Board members must be representative of the general public. (b) A member must have resided in this state for the two years before appointment. (c)(1) A person who is a former employee of the department may not serve on the board befo…

Sec. 508.033. DISQUALIFICATIONS. (a) A person is not eligible for appointment as a member of the board or for employment as a parole commissioner if the person or the person's spouse: (1) is employed by or participates in the management of a business entity or other organization …

Sec. 508.034. GROUNDS FOR REMOVAL. (a) It is a ground for removal from the board that a member: (1) does not have at the time of taking office the qualification required by Section 508.032(b) for appointment to the board; (2) is ineligible for membership under Section 508.033; (3…

Sec. 508.035. PRESIDING OFFICER. (a) The governor shall designate one member to serve as presiding officer of the board. (b) The presiding officer serves in that capacity at the pleasure of the governor. (c) The presiding officer reports directly to the governor and serves as the…

Sec. 508.036. GENERAL ADMINISTRATIVE DUTIES. (a) The presiding officer shall: (1) develop and implement policies that clearly separate the policy-making responsibilities of the board and the management responsibilities of the board administrator, parole commissioners, and the sta…

Sec. 508.0362. TRAINING REQUIRED. (a) A person who is appointed to and qualifies for office as a member of the board may not vote, deliberate, or be counted as a member in attendance at a meeting of the board until the person completes a training program that complies with this s…

Sec. 508.037. TERMS; REMOVAL. (a) A board member holds office for a term of six years. (b) The terms of one-third of the members expire February 1 of each odd-numbered year. (c) The governor may remove a board member, other than a member appointed by another governor, at any time…

Sec. 508.038. VACANCIES. If a vacancy occurs, the governor shall appoint in the same manner as other appointments are made a person to serve the remainder of the unexpired term. Added by Acts 1997, 75th Leg., ch. 165, Sec. 12.01, eff. Sept. 1, 1997.

Sec. 508.039. COMPENSATION. A board member is paid the salary the legislature determines in the General Appropriations Act. Added by Acts 1997, 75th Leg., ch. 165, Sec. 12.01, eff. Sept. 1, 1997.

Sec. 508.040. PERSONNEL. (a) The presiding officer is responsible for the employment and supervision of: (1) parole commissioners; (2) a general counsel to the board; (3) a board administrator to manage the day-to-day activities of the board; (4) hearing officers; (5) personnel t…

Sec. 508.041. DESIGNEE TRAINING; HANDBOOK. (a) The board shall develop and implement: (1) a training program that each newly hired employee of the board designated to conduct hearings under Section 508.281 must complete before conducting a hearing without the assistance of a boar…

Sec. 508.042. TRAINING PROGRAM FOR MEMBERS AND PAROLE COMMISSIONERS. (a) The board shall develop for board members and parole commissioners a comprehensive training and education program on the criminal justice system, with special emphasis on the parole process. (b)(1) A new mem…

Sec. 508.0421. TRAINING PROGRAM ON MEDICALLY RECOMMENDED INTENSIVE SUPERVISION. (a) The board shall develop and provide a comprehensive training program on the release of inmates on medically recommended intensive supervision under Section 508.146 for board members and parole com…

Sec. 508.043. GIFTS AND GRANTS. The board may apply for and accept gifts or grants from any public or private source for use in any lawful purpose of the board. Added by Acts 1997, 75th Leg., ch. 165, Sec. 12.01, eff. Sept. 1, 1997.

Sec. 508.044. POWERS AND DUTIES OF BOARD. A board member shall give full time to the duties of the member's office, including duties imposed on the board by the Texas Constitution and other law. Added by Acts 1997, 75th Leg., ch. 165, Sec. 12.01, eff. Sept. 1, 1997. Amended by Ac…

Sec. 508.0441. RELEASE AND REVOCATION DUTIES. (a) Board members and parole commissioners shall determine: (1) which inmates are to be released on parole or mandatory supervision; (2) conditions of parole or mandatory supervision, including special conditions; (3) the modification…

Sec. 508.045. PAROLE PANELS. (a) Except as provided by Section 508.046, board members and parole commissioners shall act in panels composed of three in matters of: (1) release on parole; (2) release to mandatory supervision; and (3) revocation of parole or mandatory supervision. …

Sec. 508.0455. PAROLE PANEL DATA. (a) The board shall coordinate with the department to collect and analyze data on the release of inmates on parole, mandatory supervision, or medically recommended intensive supervision and the use of special conditions and graduated sanctions to…

Sec. 508.046. EXTRAORDINARY VOTE REQUIRED. To release on parole an inmate who was convicted of an offense under Section 20A.03, 21.02, 21.11(a)(1), or 22.021, Penal Code, or who is required under Section 508.145(c) to serve 35 calendar years before becoming eligible for release o…

Sec. 508.047. MEETINGS. (a) The members of the board shall meet at least once in each quarter of the calendar year at a site determined by the presiding officer. (b) The members of the board are not required to meet as a body to perform the members' duties in clemency matters. (c…

Sec. 508.048. SUBPOENAS. (a) A parole panel may issue a subpoena requiring the attendance of a witness or the production of any record, book, paper, or document the panel considers necessary for investigation of the case of a person before the panel. (b) A member of the board may…

Sec. 508.0481. VICTIM'S RIGHT TO REPRESENTATION. (a) If a victim, close relative of a deceased victim, or guardian of a victim is required by a subpoena issued under Section 508.048 to appear at a hearing, the victim, relative, or guardian is entitled to representation by counsel…

Sec. 508.049. MISSION STATEMENT. (a) The board, after consultation with the governor and the Texas Board of Criminal Justice, shall adopt a mission statement that reflects the responsibilities for the operation of the parole process that are assigned to the board, the division, t…

Sec. 508.050. REPORT TO GOVERNOR. (a) On request of the governor, the board shall investigate a person being considered by the governor for: (1) pardon; (2) commutation of sentence; (3) reprieve; (4) remission of fine; or (5) forfeiture. (b) The board shall report to the governor…

Sec. 508.051. SUNSET PROVISION. The Board of Pardons and Paroles is subject to review under Chapter 325 (Texas Sunset Act), but is not abolished under that chapter. The board shall be reviewed during the period in which the Texas Department of Criminal Justice is reviewed. Added …

Sec. 508.052. COMPUTERS; OFFICE SPACE; OTHER EQUIPMENT. (a) The department by interagency contract may provide to the board necessary computer equipment and computer access to all computerized records and physical access to all printed records in the custody of the department tha…

Sec. 508.053. USE OF TECHNOLOGY. The board shall implement a policy requiring the board to use appropriate technological solutions to improve the board's ability to perform its functions. The policy must ensure that the public is able to interact with the board on the Internet. A…

Sec. 508.054. RECORDS OF COMPLAINTS. (a) The board shall maintain a system to promptly and efficiently act on complaints filed with the board. The board shall maintain information about parties to the complaint, the subject matter of the complaint, a summary of the results of the…

Sec. 508.055. NEGOTIATED RULEMAKING AND ALTERNATIVE DISPUTE RESOLUTION. (a) The board shall develop and implement a policy to encourage the use of: (1) negotiated rulemaking procedures under Chapter 2008 for the adoption of board rules; and (2) appropriate alternative dispute res…

Sec. 508.081. DEFINITIONS. In this subchapter: (1) "Compensation" has the meaning assigned by Section 305.002. (2) "Inmate" includes: (A) an administrative releasee; (B) an inmate imprisoned in the institutional division; and (C) a person confined in a county jail awaiting: (i) t…

Sec. 508.082. RULES. The board shall adopt rules relating to: (1) the submission and presentation of information and arguments to the board, a parole panel, and the department for and in behalf of an inmate; and (2) the time, place, and manner of contact between a person represen…

Sec. 508.083. ELIGIBILITY TO REPRESENT INMATES. (a) A person who represents an inmate for compensation must: (1) be an attorney licensed in this state; and (2) register with the division. (b) A person serving as a member or employee of the board or the Texas Board of Criminal Jus…

Sec. 508.084. FEE AFFIDAVIT. (a) A person required to register under Section 508.083, before the person first contacts a member of the board, an employee of the board, or an employee of the department on behalf of an inmate, shall file a fee affidavit with the department in a for…

Sec. 508.085. REPRESENTATION SUMMARY FORM. (a) A person required to register under Section 508.083 shall, for each calendar year in which the person represents an inmate, file a representation summary form with the division on a form prescribed by the division. (b) The form must …

Sec. 508.086. CRIMINAL PENALTIES. (a) A former member or employee of the board or the Texas Board of Criminal Justice or a former employee of the department commits an offense if the former member or employee violates Section 508.083(b), (c), or (d). (b) A person who represents a…

Sec. 508.111. DIRECTOR. (a) The executive director shall hire the director of the division. (b) The director is responsible for the administration of the division. Added by Acts 1997, 75th Leg., ch. 165, Sec. 12.01, eff. Sept. 1, 1997.

Sec. 508.112. DUTY OF DIVISION. The division is responsible for the investigation and supervision of all releasees. Added by Acts 1997, 75th Leg., ch. 165, Sec. 12.01, eff. Sept. 1, 1997.

Sec. 508.113. PAROLE OFFICERS, SUPERVISORS: QUALIFICATIONS. (a) This subsection and Subsection (b) apply only to a person employed as a parole officer or supervisor on or before September 1, 1990. A person may not be employed as a parole officer or supervisor, or be responsible f…

Sec. 508.1131. SALARY CAREER LADDER FOR PAROLE OFFICERS. (a) The Texas Board of Criminal Justice by rule shall adopt a salary career ladder for parole officers. In adopting the salary career ladder, the Texas Board of Criminal Justice shall, in consultation with relevant stakehol…

Sec. 508.114. PAROLE OFFICERS, SUPERVISORS: ADDITIONAL DUTIES. (a) The judge of a court having original jurisdiction of criminal actions may, with the approval of the director, designate a parole officer or supervisor as a community supervision and corrections department officer.…

Sec. 508.1141. SPECIALIZED TRAINING; GANG MEMBERS. The department shall develop and provide specialized training for parole officers supervising releasees previously identified by the department as being members of prison gangs, criminal street gangs, or security threat groups. A…

Sec. 508.1142. PAROLE OFFICER MAXIMUM CASELOADS. (a) The Texas Board of Criminal Justice by rule shall establish guidelines for a maximum caseload for a parole officer. (b) The Texas Board of Criminal Justice: (1) shall periodically review the guidelines established under Subsect…

Sec. 508.1143. REPORT ON PAROLE SUPERVISION APPROACHES AND MAXIMUM CASELOADS. (a) Not later than December 1, 2026, the department, in consultation with relevant stakeholders, shall: (1) review current parole supervision practices and caseload approaches; and (2) submit a report o…

Sec. 508.115. NOTIFICATION OF RELEASE OF INMATE. (a) Not later than the 11th day before the date a parole panel orders the release on parole of an inmate or not later than the 11th day after the date the board recommends that the governor grant executive clemency, the division sh…

Sec. 508.116. PAROLE INFORMATION PROGRAM. (a) The division shall develop and implement a comprehensive program to inform inmates, the inmates' families, and other interested parties about the parole process. (b) The division shall update the program annually. Added by Acts 1997, …

Sec. 508.117. VICTIM NOTIFICATION. (a) Before a parole panel considers for release on parole an inmate who is serving a sentence for an offense in which a person was a victim, the division, using the name and address provided on the victim impact statement, shall make a reasonabl…