Bill > HB3443

This bill requires the Texas Department of Criminal Justice (TDCJ) to maintain temperatures in all of its facilities within a specific range of 65 to 85 degrees Fahrenheit, ensuring that inmates are not exposed to extreme temperatures that could be harmful to their health and well-being. The bill provides a significant implementation timeline, giving the TDCJ until September 1, 2026, to comply with these new temperature requirements, which allows the department ample time to make necessary infrastructure or operational adjustments. The legislation will take effect either immediately if it receives a two-thirds vote in the Texas Legislature, or on September 1, 2025, if it does not receive the required immediate-effect voting threshold. By establishing clear temperature parameters, the bill aims to improve living conditions for incarcerated individuals and potentially address concerns about facility climate control that could impact inmate health and safety.

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https://capitol.texas.gov/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=89R&Bill=HB3443