*1 The Attorney General of Texas

October 6. 1978 JOHN L. HILL

Attorney General Honorable Joe Resweber suprmw caln Building Opinion No. H- 1253 P.O. aox lzO40 Harris County Attorney Aurtin. TX. 78711 1001 Preston Re: Payment of tuition for

512/4752501 Houston, Texas 77002 county jail inmates attending

classes while incarcerated. 701 cammmm. suite z-30 Odls lx. 75202 Dear Mr. Resweber:

214/74Z-5M4

You have submitted the following question for an opinion from this office:

.Is Harris County required to pay tuition to Houston Community College System for inmates that are incarcerated in the Harris County Jail and who are enrolled in the Houston Community College?

We have found no authority which obligates the county to pay the tuition fees of the county jail inmates. Such an expenditure is not required under the counw’s duty to provide a safe and suitable jail. V.T.C.S. art. 5llS. We do not address the question of whether the county has discretion to pay tuition fees of jail inmates. See generally V.T.C.S. art. 5ll5.1, S 9(a)(4). Educ. Code S 29.Olffi Attorney General Opinion H-652 (1975). 4313 n Tenth. sume F -.7X.78501 SUMMARY 5em524547

Harris County is not required to pay tuition fees of county jail inmates.

Very truly yours, Attorney General of Texas *2 (H-1253) - Page 2 Honorable Joe Resweber

APPROVED:

Opinion Committee

p. 4914