TX HB2943

Expands the Texas Department of Criminal Justice's authority to issue payments for temporary post-release housing for parolees and those on mandatory supervision, removing the previous requirement that such payments only be made where the department doesn't operate a residential correctional facility

Requires post-release housing to meet standards developed by a new Reentry Housing Task Force and be located in the inmate's county of legal residence, while eliminating the prior restriction limiting housing to structures that existed as multifamily residences or motels before June 1, 2009

Establishes the Reentry Housing Task Force with members from TDCJ, Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs, Texas Veterans Commission, and nonprofit organizations focused on recovery housing, sex offender advocacy, incarcerated persons' families, and Continuum of Care programs; the task force must submit a report by December 1, 2026 and expires September 1, 2027

Mandates TDCJ implement a post-release housing planning procedure by December 1, 2025 that identifies inmates without housing plans and assesses which would benefit from temporary housing payments versus more intensive planning

Requires TDCJ to submit annual reports by February 1 detailing the number of inmates needing housing assistance, efforts to reduce time between parole approval and release, average days in residential correctional facilities, and number of releasees who absconded