1. (a) This section applies only to an inmate who, at the time the inmate is sentenced to a term of imprisonment in the department, is:

   1. (1) confined in a county jail; and
   2. (2) eligible for immediate release to mandatory supervision.

2. (b) Before an inmate is released from a county jail to mandatory supervision, the department shall provide notice to a victim, guardian of a victim, or close relative of a deceased victim that the inmate is eligible for release to mandatory supervision. The notice must be sent to the address provided in the victim impact statement or submitted under Section 508.117(b) and must state that the victim, guardian, or close relative may submit, not later than the 14th day after the date of the notice, a written statement to the parole panel considering the inmate's release regarding:

   1. (1) the offense;
   2. (2) the inmate; and
   3. (3) the effect of the offense on the victim, guardian, or close relative.
3. (c) Notwithstanding any other law, the parole panel may interview a victim, guardian of a victim, or close relative of a deceased victim regarding the release of the inmate to mandatory supervision.
4. (d) In this section, "victim," "guardian of a victim," and "close relative of a deceased victim" have the meanings assigned by Section 508.117.

Added by Acts 2021, 87th Leg., R.S., Ch. 636 (H.B. 721), Sec. 1, eff. September 1, 2021.