HBA-MSH, BSM C.S.H.B. 287 77(R)BILL ANALYSIS


Office of House Bill AnalysisC.S.H.B. 287
By: King, Phil
Corrections
4/20/2001
Committee Report (Substituted)



BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Currently, the introduction of alcoholic beverages, controlled substances,
and dangerous drugs into the prison environment carries penalties that
deter trafficking.  The introduction of tobacco products, however, does not
carry a penalty.  Tobacco products often serve as a form of currency within
correctional facilities that allows inmates to barter for goods and
services and decreases the control the Texas Department of Criminal Justice
(TDCJ) has over the inmate population.  C.S.H.B. 287 creates an offense for
providing cigarettes or tobacco products to an inmate of a correctional
facility operated by or under contract with TDCJ. 

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

It is the opinion of the Office of House Bill Analysis that this bill does
not expressly delegate any additional rulemaking authority to a state
officer, department, agency, or institution. 

ANALYSIS

C.S.H.B. 287 amends the Penal Code to provide that a person commits an
offense if the person provides a cigarette or a tobacco product to an
inmate of a correctional facility operated by or operated under contract
with the Texas Department of Criminal  Justice.  

EFFECTIVE DATE

September 1, 2001.

COMPARISON OF ORIGINAL TO SUBSTITUTE

C.S.H.B. 287 differs from the original by adding cigarettes to the list of
items for which it is an offense to provide to an inmate of a correctional
facility.