S.B. No. 182 aims to enhance program accessibility for female inmates within the Texas Department of Criminal Justice. The bill amends Section 501.027 of the Government Code to require the department to develop and implement policies that ensure female inmates have access to a variety of programs, including parenting classes, educational and vocational training, substance use treatment, rehabilitation, life skills training, and prerelease programs. Notably, the bill mandates that these programs be made available to female inmates within 45 days of their arrival at a facility and that the opportunities provided to them are equitable to those available to male inmates.

Additionally, the bill requires the department to report annually to various state officials and publish the report on its website, detailing any policy changes made to comply with the new requirements and listing the programs available to female inmates. The legislation emphasizes the importance of ensuring that vocational programs are relevant to current workforce demands. The act is set to take effect on September 1, 2025, and mandates the Texas Department of Criminal Justice to implement the necessary policies as soon as practicable after the effective date.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: Government Code 501.027 (Government Code 501)