Texas Among States Opting Out Of New Anti-Prison Rape Requirements
http://dfw.cbslocal.com/2015/01/04/texas-among-states-opting-out-of-new-anti-prison-rape-requirements/
(AP) Inmate advocates worry that a proposal to reduce the financial penalties for states that dont comply with a 2003 federal law aimed at eliminating rape behind bars will severely damage it.
The measure failed this fall. Its sponsor, Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, vows to re-introduce it in the new GOP-controlled Congress.
Cornyn said the funds include grants for worthy programs such as ones that support rape and domestic violence victims and that the law should be more narrowly tailored to affect money that goes to prison construction, operations and administration.
Supporters of the measure acknowledge the change would essentially eliminate the financial penalties, since little if any federal grant money is used for prison construction, daily operations and administration.
Those costs are typically handled by local government budgets.