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69 Document(s) [ Subject: Mentally ill inmates ]

Committee: House County Affairs
Title: Interim Report
Subjects: Alternatives to incarceration | Arrest warrants | Border security | County budgets | County employees | County jails | Court costs and fees | Criminal Justice, Texas Department of | Disease preparedness | Family violence | Fines | Jail population | Jail Standards, Texas Commission on | Mental health services | Mentally ill inmates | Municipal jails | Municipalities | Operation Lone Star (Border security) | Parole | Prison population | Prisons | Probation | Quarantines |
Library Call Number: L1836.87 C832
Session: 87th R.S. (2021)
Online version: View report [31 pages  File size: 781 kb]
Charges: This report should address the charges below.
1. Review the existing and anticipated populations in state prisons and city and county jails located near the Texas-Mexico border. Make recommendations for alleviating or addressing any increase or over-crowding that may result as well as any other particularized needs or circumstances that have arisen or could arise as a result of an increase in population in correctional facilities, including, but not limited to, intake capacity, adequacy of facilities and other health and safety considerations. Make recommendations to mitigate any associated costs borne by border counties and municipalities. (Joint charge with Committee on Corrections)
2. Monitor the agencies and programs under the Committee’s jurisdiction and oversee the implementation of relevant legislation passed by the 87th Legislature. Conduct active oversight of all associated rulemaking and other governmental actions taken to ensure the intended legislative outcome of all legislation, including the following:
  • HB 1545, 87th R.S., relating to the continuation and functions of the Commission on Jail Standards;
  • HB 1906, 87th R.S., relating to grants awarded to reimburse counties for the cost of monitoring defendants and victims in cases involving family violence; and
  • HB 2073, 87th R.S., relating to quarantine leave for fire fighters, peace officers, detention officers, and emergency medical technicians employed by, appointed by, or elected for a political subdivision.
3. Study statutorily mandated services provided by sheriffs and constables and determine whether fee schedules are set at sufficient levels to allow for cost recovery without placing undue burdens on recipients of those services.
4. For individuals in county jails and Texas Department of Criminal Justice facilities, or on community supervision or parole, examine:
  • The availability of behavioral health services; and
  • The current treatment and recovery options available for those who are experiencing withdrawal from drug or alcohol use.
  • Make recommendations for best practices to address the needs of individuals requiring treatment. (Joint charge with Committee on Corrections)
Supporting documents
Committee: House County Affairs
Title: Committee meeting handouts and testimony, June 15, 2022 (Behavioral health services, treatment and recovery options)
Library Call Number:
Session: 87th R.S. (2021)
Online version: View document [8 pages  File size: 210 kb]
Committee: House County Affairs
Title: Interim Report
Subjects: Alternatives to incarceration | Counties | County budgets | County employees | Criminal justice | Emergency management | Flood control | Flooding | Hurricane Harvey | Infrastructure | Land use regulations | Mentally ill inmates | Natural disasters | Salaries |
Library Call Number: L1836.85 C832
Session: 85th R.S. (2017)
Online version: View report [75 pages]
Charges: This report should address the charges below.
1. Examine how emergency response activities are organized, funded, and coordinated. Review the impact of natural disasters on county finances. Identify any deficiencies in authority for the most populous counties related to infrastructure planning, emergency response, and recovery. Explore ways to improve efficiencies and manage costs while protecting public safety. Additionally, study the relationship between the state, counties, non-governmental organizations, and churches in preparing for and responding to Hurricane Harvey and its aftermath, and determine if preparedness plans are adequate.
2. Evaluate whether counties have the necessary ordinance-making and enforcement authority to deal with flood risk in unincorporated rural and suburban areas of Texas. Additionally, examine whether counties have adequate resources and authority to ensure that new development in unincorporated areas is not susceptible to flooding.
3. Study how counties identify defendants' and inmates' behavioral health needs and deferral opportunities to appropriate rehabilitative and transition services. Consider models for ensuring defendants and inmates with mental illness receive appropriate services upon release from the criminal justice system.
4. Review the population limitations found in Local Government Code Section 154.041 and Local Government Code Section 113.047. Determine if counties with a population below 190,000 could benefit from the population limitations being removed.
5. Monitor the agencies and programs under the Committee’s jurisdiction and oversee the implementation of relevant legislation passed by the 85th Legislature.
Supporting documents
Committee: House County Affairs
Title: Committee meeting handouts and testimony, August 23, 2018 (emergency response, county flood ordinances, inmate behavioral health needs)
Library Call Number:
Session: 85th R.S. (2017)
Online version: View document [174 pages  File size: 12,880 kb]
Committee: Senate Criminal Justice
Title: Interim Report
Subjects: Human trafficking | Inmate health | Mental health services | Mentally ill inmates | Prisoner re-entry | Recidivism | State jail system | Telemedicine |
Library Call Number: L1836.85 C868
Session: 85th R.S. (2017)
Online version: View report [148 pages]
Charges: This report should address the charges below.
1. Identify Successful Re-Entry Programs: Study current reentry programs and procedures across Texas' adult criminal justice system and identify which are most effective. Review best practices and make recommendations to ensure that incarcerated individuals who are released from a county or city jail, state jail, or the Texas Department of Criminal Justice have adequate supervision and access to employment, housing, treatment, and other support programs to allow for successful reentry and integration into the community and to prevent recidivism.
2. State Jail Review to Improve Outcomes: Perform a comprehensive analysis and study of the Texas state jail system. Examine the access to and use of rehabilitation, vocation, and education programs. Determine whether current programs are effective and if there are efficiencies that can be found to reduce recidivism and improve outcomes.
3. Telemedicine in Correctional Facilities: Review current availability and best practices in the state regarding the use of telemedicine for inmates in city or county jail, state jail, or the Texas Department of Criminal Justice. Examine and make recommendations on whether access to care and outcomes can be improved through the expanded use of telemedicine for medical and mental health services, and whether expansion would create efficiencies. Examine barriers to implementation and expansion of telemedicine in correctional facilities.
4. Human Trafficking Awareness and Prevention: Study opportunities to increase awareness of human trafficking through public awareness campaigns, among local officials, and within public school districts including the identification of potential human trafficking and stash houses as well as how and where to report. Examine the Human Trafficking Prevention Business Partnership Program at the Office of the Secretary of State and provide recommendations for increasing participation of Texas businesses in the fight against human trafficking.
5. Monitoring: Monitor the implementation of legislation addressed by the Senate Criminal Justice Committee during the 85th Legislature and make recommendations for any legislation needed to improve, enhance, and/ or complete implementation of the following: • Senate Bill 12, Relating to the creation of a grant program to assist law enforcement agencies with the purchase of bulletproof vests and body armor; • Senate Bill 30, Relating to the inclusion of instruction regarding interaction with peace officers in the required curriculu m for certain public school students and in driver education courses and to civilian interaction training for peace officers; and • Senate Bill 1326, Relating to procedures regarding criminal defendants who are or may be persons with a mental illness or an intellectual disability and to certain duties of the Office of Court Administration of the Texas Judicial System related to persons with mental illness.
Committee: House County Affairs
Title: Interim Report
Subjects: Bail | Child abuse | Child Protective Services | County jails | County roads | Court costs and fees | Criminal justice | Criminal records | Electronic security | Emergency management | Fees | Indigent health care | Jail Standards, Texas Commission on | Managed care | Medicaid | Mentally ill inmates | Mentally ill persons | Natural disasters | Police officers | Suicide |
Library Call Number: L1836.84 C832
Session: 84th R.S. (2015)
Online version: View report [112 pages]
Charges: This report should address the charges below.
1. Review jail standards and procedures with regards to potentially mentally ill persons in county jails, as well as issues stemming from interactions between the general public and peace officers. *
2. Study the effectiveness and efficiency of current programs in Texas as well as best practices to determine how to decrease the risk and mitigate the impact of wildfires, floods, and other natural hazards in the wildland-urban interface. Examine the duties, performance, and jurisdictions of water districts, municipalities, Emergency Services Districts, other similar districts, and state offices like the Fire Marshal and Extension Services. Evaluate current regulations and identify best practices. Recommend approaches for hazard mitigation and response to natural disasters. (Joint charge with the House Committee on Urban Affairs)
3. Identify and address potential gaps in counties’ cybersecurity policies and ensure that personal information held by counties and other local governmental entities is secure.
4. Evaluate the Texas Commission on Jail Standards to determine if the Commission has the resources and structure to provide sufficient oversight, regulation, and enforcement over Texas county jails.
5. Review pretrial service and bonding practices throughout the state. Examine factors considered in bail and pre-trial confinement decisions, including the use of risk assessments; assess the effectiveness and efficiency of different systems in terms of cost to local governments and taxpayers, community safety, pretrial absconding rates and rights of the accused. (Joint charge with the House Committee on Criminal Jurisprudence)
6. Study the implications and effects on law enforcement agencies and individuals that stem from the publication, republication, or other dissemination for public internet access of mug shots and other criminal history information regarding involvement of an individual in the criminal justice system.
7. Study statutorily mandated services provided by sheriffs and constables, and determine whether fee schedules allow cost recovery without placing undue burdens on recipients of those services.
8. Study the effect of Proposition 5 (SJR 17 (84R)) on the quality of private roadways in counties with a population of less than 7,500. Make recommendations to ensure the amendment does not result in undue competition between counties and private industry, and whether additional counties could benefit from a similar authorization.
9. Conduct legislative oversight and monitoring of the agencies and programs under the committee’s jurisdiction and the implementation of relevant legislation passed by the 84th Legislature. In conducting this oversight, the committee should: a. consider any reforms to state agencies to make them more responsive to Texas taxpayers and citizens; b. identify issues regarding the agency or its governance that may be appropriate to investigate, improve, remedy, or eliminate; c. determine whether an agency is operating in a transparent and efficient manner; and d. identify opportunities to streamline programs and services while maintaining the mission of the agency and its programs.
Supporting documents
Committee: House County Affairs
Title: Committee meeting handouts and testimony, July 30, 2015 (Jail standards, procedures with regards to potentially mentally ill persons in county jails, and interactions between the public and peace officers)
Library Call Number:
Session: 84th R.S. (2015)
Online version: View document [97 pages  File size: 9,387 kb]
Committee: House County Affairs
Title: Committee meeting handouts and testimony, September 15, 2015 (Jail standards and coordination among entities)
Library Call Number:
Session: 84th R.S. (2015)
Online version: View document [37 pages  File size: 3,753 kb]
Committee: House County Affairs
Title: Committee meeting handouts and testimony, November 18, 2015 (Department of Public Safety racial coding, Jail standards, Screening forms and instructions for suicide and medical/mental/developmental impairments)
Library Call Number:
Session: 84th R.S. (2015)
Online version: View document [114 pages  File size: 7,718 kb]
Committee: House County Affairs
Title: Committee meeting handouts and testimony, September 20, 2016 (Department of Public Safety racial disparities; Waller County Sheriff's Office, Recommended police and jail practices)
Library Call Number:
Session: 84th R.S. (2015)
Online version: View document [74 pages  File size: 11,569 kb]
Committee: House County Affairs
Title: Committee meeting handouts and testimony, November 16, 2016 (Department of Public Safety and criminal justice reform, Child Protective Services)
Library Call Number:
Session: 84th R.S. (2015)
Online version: View document [276 pages  File size: 31,098 kb]
Committee: Senate Health and Human Services
Title: Interim Report
Subjects: Abortion | Adoption | Adult day care | Assisted living facilities | Birth defects | Child abuse | Child abuse prevention | Child Protective Services | Family and Protective Services, Texas Department of | Foster care | Liability | Long-term care | Managed care | Medicaid | Mental health services | Mentally ill inmates | Nursing homes | Office of Inspector General, Health and Human Services Commission, Texas | Organ and tissue donations | Planned Parenthood | Pregnancy | Refugees and asylees | Senior citizens | Services for persons with disabilities | State employee turnover | Sunset review process | Telemedicine | Women's health |
Library Call Number: L1836.84 H349
Session: 84th R.S. (2015)
Online version: View report [152 pages]
Charges: This report should address the charges below.
1. Examine the business practices and regulatory structure of Planned Parenthood affiliates in Texas, and investigate whether state or federal laws are being broken by Planned Parenthood and/or its affiliates in Texas in regards to the donation and/or sale of fetal tissue. Consider recommendations to strengthen regulations on abortion providers, including further restrictions on the sale of fetal tissue by these entities. *
2. Protecting the Unborn: Part I: Examine and make recommendations on the use of fetal tissue provided for research purposes and how related laws governing abortion procedures are interpreted and enforced. Part II: Examine the cause of action known as “wrongful birth.” The study should examine (1) its history in Texas, (2) its effect on the practice of medicine, and (3) its effect on children with disabilities and their families. Examine related measures proposed or passed in other states.
3. Protection of Children Part I: Reducing Recurrence of Child Abuse and Neglect: Examine the current process that Child Protective Services uses to track recurrence of child abuse and neglect, and make recommendations to improve data tracking and the use of that data to assist in preventing recurrence. The study should examine the differences in recurrence among families who received services, families who received no services and had their cases closed, and families who had their children removed from the home. Part II: Addressing High-Acuity Needs of Foster Care Children: Study the increase in higher acuity children with trauma and mental illness in the state foster care system, and recommend ways to ensure children have timely access to appropriate treatment and placement options. Part III: Strengthening Adoptions: Examine the frequency, causes, and effects of disrupted foster care adoptions and make recommendations to improve the long-term success of adoptive placements. Study and make recommendations on ways to ensure a smooth transition for foster care children who are exiting the system.
4. Healthy Aging: Part I: Study and make recommendations on innovative methods and best practices to promote healthy aging for the state’s population and reduce chronic medical and behavioral health conditions. Identify opportunities for improved collaboration to promote healthy aging in the health and human services system at the state, regional and local levels. Part II: Examine and recommend ways to improve quality and oversight in long-term care settings, including nursing homes and ICF/HCS programs. Monitor the implementation of legislation addressed by the Senate Committee on Health and Human Services during the 84th Regular Session related to the revocation of nursing home licenses for repeated serious violations.
5. Medicaid Reform and State Innovation: Study the impact of the Section 1115 Texas Healthcare Transformation and Quality Improvement Program Waiver on improving health outcomes, reducing costs, and providing access to health care for the uninsured, and monitor the renewal process of the waiver. Explore other mechanisms and make recommendations to control costs and increase quality and efficiency in the Medicaid program, including the pursuit of a block grant or a Section 1332 Medicaid State Innovation Waiver for the existing Medicaid program.
6. Inpatient Mental Health System Reform: Study and make recommendations on establishing collaborative partnerships between state-owned mental health hospitals and university health science centers to improve inpatient state mental health services, maximize the state mental health workforce, and reduce healthcare costs.
7. Mental Health Diversion and Forensic Capacity: Study the impact of recent efforts by the legislature to divert individuals with serious mental illness from criminal justice settings and prevent recidivism. Study and make recommendations to address the state's ongoing need for inpatient forensic capacity, including the impact of expanding community inpatient psychiatric beds.
8. Improving Access to Care through TeleHealth: Study and make recommendations on the appropriate use, scope and application of tele-monitoring and telemedicine services to improve management and outcomes for adults and children with complex medical needs and for persons confined in correctional facilities. Examine barriers to implementation of these services and any impact on access to health care services in rural areas of the state.
9. Review of Refugee Resettlement Program: Study the impact to the state of the increasing number of refugees relocating to Texas, including the range of health and human services provided. Examine the authority of the state to reduce its burden under the Refugee Resettlement Program, and any state-funded services.
10. Monitoring Charge: Monitor the implementation of legislation and riders related to health and human services that were considered by the 84th R.S. and make recommendations for any legislation needed to improve, enhance, and/or complete implementation, including but not limited to: ? The impact of changes made by the Department of Family and Protective Services, Child Protective Services on child safety, workforce retention, prevention, and permanency; ? Initiatives to reduce Medicaid fraud, waste and abuse, and other cost containment strategies, including examining the processes and procedures used by managed care organizations to address Medicaid fraud, waste and abuse; and The consolidation and expansion of women's health programs at the Health and Human Services Commission.
Committee: House Corrections
Title: Interim Report
Subjects: Corsicana Residential Treatment Facility | Criminal Justice, Texas Department of | Inmate rehabilitation | Juvenile detention facilities | Juvenile Justice Department, Texas | Juvenile justice system | Mentally ill inmates | Pardons and Paroles, Texas Board of | Parole | Prison population | Privatization | Recidivism | School discipline | School district police | School safety | Substance abuse | Truancy |
Library Call Number: L1836.83 C817
Session: 83rd R.S. (2013)
Online version: View report [0 pages  File size: 58 kb]
Charges: This report should address the charges below.
1. Study and review the correctional facilities and processes within Texas Department of Criminal Justice, Texas Board of Pardons and Paroles, and Texas Juvenile Justice Department with emphasis on efficiencies, effectiveness, and recidivism. Examine the existing programmatic approach per facility in the areas of the vocation, education, visitation, rehabilitation, health and mental health services, parole supervision, and reentry initiatives. Evaluate opportunities for partnerships between facilities and private industries to offer education, job training, and potential employment for offenders during incarceration, parole, and final release.
2. Examine the association between co-occurring serious mental illness and substance use disorders and parole revocation among inmates from the Texas Department of Criminal Justice. Review current policies and procedures for incarcerating individuals with a dual mental health diagnosis in both state and county correctional facilities and examine potential remedies within the State's criminal justice system to ensure that the public is protected and that individuals with a mental health diagnosis receive a continuum of mental health services. (Joint charge with the House Committee on Criminal Jurisprudence)
3. In the area of Juvenile Justice, analyze and make recommendations on outcome-based financing models that allow the state to partner with private investors and innovative service providers willing to cover the upfront costs and assume performance risk to divert youths into cost-effective programs and interventions, while assuring that taxpayers will not pay for the programs unless the programs demonstrate success in achieving the desired outcomes.
4. Study the impact of SB 393, 83rd R.S. and SB 1114, 83rd R.S.. Assess the impact of school discipline and school-based policing on referrals to the municipal, justice, and juvenile courts, and identify judicial policies or initiatives designed to reduce referrals without having a negative impact on school safety. (Joint charge with the House Committee on Public Education)
5. Conduct legislative oversight and monitoring of the agencies and programs under the committee’s jurisdiction and the implementation of relevant legislation passed by the 83rd Legislature. In conducting this oversight, the committee should: a. consider any reforms to state agencies to make them more responsive to Texas taxpayers and citizens; b. identify issues regarding the agency or its governance that may be appropriate to investigate, improve, remedy, or eliminate; c. determine whether an agency is operating in a transparent and efficient manner; and d. identify opportunities to streamline programs and services while maintaining the mission of the agency and its programs.
Committee: House Criminal Jurisprudence
Title: Interim Report
Subjects: Alternatives to incarceration | Children's mental health | Criminal records | Deferred adjudication | Inmate rehabilitation | Internet | Jail population | Juvenile crime | Juvenile justice system | Juveniles certified as adults | Mental health services | Mentally ill inmates | Parole | Prisoner re-entry | Probation | Public information | Recidivism | Restorative justice | Rules of the Texas House of Representatives | State jail system | Statutory revision | Substance abuse | Texas Penal Code | Vandalism |
Library Call Number: L1836.83 C868h
Session: 83rd R.S. (2013)
Online version: View report [82 pages]
Charges: This report should address the charges below.
1. Study the classification of 17-year-olds as adults in the criminal justice system of Texas.
2. Study the effectiveness of deferred adjudication and orders for non-disclosure in spite of the many exceptions to the statute. Study extending the use of expunction of criminal records history and non-disclosures to certain qualified individuals with low-level, non-violent convictions. Examine the statutorily allowed but underused non-disclosure and expunction of criminal records, and the use of deferred adjudication.
3. Study the impact of SB 1289, 83rd R.S.. Examine the sale of criminal histories that may be erroneous as well as the lasting impact that arrest records have on individuals who are arrested but not charged or convicted. Assess the need for revision of existing statutes and consider designating an agency responsible for regulating entities involved in the industry.
4. Examine the association between co-occurring serious mental illness and substance use disorders and parole revocation among inmates from the Texas Department of Criminal Justice. Review current policies and procedures for incarcerating individuals with a dual mental health diagnosis in both state and county correctional facilities and examine potential remedies within the State's criminal justice system to ensure that the public is protected and that individuals with a mental health diagnosis receive a continuum of mental health services. (Joint charge with the House Committee on Corrections)
5. Examine the current pecuniary loss thresholds associated with graffiti offenses. Study the costs of enhancing the penalties associated with the offense of graffiti, as well as a study of pretrial diversion programs that exist in other states and are specific to persons convicted of graffiti offenses. Study the existing Graffiti Abatement Programs in Texas.
6. Evaluate the approximately 1,500 non-traditional criminal offenses that can be found outside of the Penal Code. Study the feasibility of streamlining these offenses and examine ambiguities in the law. Study the existing use of the Rule of Lenity and Mens Rea requirements in Texas and the benefit of codifying both of these standards.
7. Examine the utilization of community supervision in state jail felonies and the effectiveness of the state jail in light of its original purpose.
8. Conduct legislative oversight and monitoring of the agencies and programs under the committee’s jurisdiction and the implementation of relevant legislation passed by the 83rd Legislature. In conducting this oversight, the committee should: a. consider any reforms to state agencies to make them more responsive to Texas taxpayers and citizens; b. identify issues regarding the agency or its governance that may be appropriate to investigate, improve, remedy, or eliminate; c. determine whether an agency is operating in a transparent and efficient manner; and d. identify opportunities to streamline programs and services while maintaining the mission of the agency and its programs.
Committee: Senate Criminal Justice
Title: Interim Report
Subjects: Alternatives to incarceration | Driving while intoxicated | Elderly inmates | Felonies | Inmate health | Juvenile crime | Juvenile justice system | Mentally ill inmates | Penalties and sentences (Criminal justice) | Probation | Texas Penal Code | Theft | Youthful offenders |
Library Call Number: L1836.83 C868
Session: 83rd R.S. (2013)
Online version: View report [85 pages]
Charges: This report should address the charges below.
1. Review cases involving the imposition of probation rather than imprisonment or commitment for adult and juvenile intoxication manslaughter offenders. Make recommendations to ensure that intoxication manslaughter sentences include appropriate punishment levels, maintain public safety, and serve to deter driving under the influence.
2. Study the operations of the Texas prison system with respect to the medical and mental health care treatment. Study potential cost savings associated with identifying offenders with dual diagnoses and routing these individuals into appropriate services before, during, and after involvement with the criminal justice system. Study the way in which geriatric parole cases are currently evaluated and identify opportunities for reducing costs associated with the geriatric inmate population without compromising public safety.
3. Study and make recommendations related to jail diversion, reduced recidivism rates, and access to services for those within the system who suffer from a mental illness. Monitor the progress and implementation of the jail diversion pilot program for the mentally ill in Harris County and determine the best practices to be applied statewide.
4. Compile an inventory of all the juvenile specialty courts in the state, the juvenile population served, and the courts' program guidelines and practices. Identify gaps in services, geographically, by issue area, and juvenile population. Study the efficacy of each court through an analysis of recidivism rates and cost effectiveness and make recommendations regarding the best practices of juvenile specialty courts.
5. Study and make recommendations regarding sentencing of youth under 18 accused of committing serious crimes.
6. Study the value ladder of charges for theft and related offenses within the Texas Penal Code and recommend any necessary updates and proposed legislative reforms.
7. Evaluate the approximately 1,500 non-traditional criminal offenses that can be found outside of the Penal Code. Study the feasibility of streamlining these offenses and examine ambiguities in the law. Analyze whether and to what extent some of these non-traditional criminal offenses should be eliminated.
Committee: Senate Criminal Justice
Title: Interim Report
Library Catalog Title: Interim report to the 82nd Legislature / Senate Committee on Criminal Justice
Subjects: Alcohol-related deaths | Alternatives to incarceration | Blood alcohol concentration | Child abuse | Child sexual abuse | Community notification of sex offenders | Concealed weapons | Crime laboratories | Criminal Justice, Texas Department of | DNA testing | Driving while intoxicated | Forensics | Indigent criminal defense | Jail Standards, Texas Commission on | Juvenile detention facilities | Juvenile justice system | Juvenile Probation Commission, Texas | Mental health services | Mentally ill inmates | Municipal jails | Prison security | Public Safety, Texas Department of | Recidivism | School discipline | Sex offender registration | State Health Services, Texas Department of | Texas Fair Defense Act | Witnesses | Youth Commission, Texas |
Library Call Number: L1836.81 C868
Session: 81st R.S. (2009)
Online version: View report [115 pages  File size: 3,355 kb]
Charges: This report should address the charges below.
1. Study the efficiency and fairness of the current sexual offender registry system and make recommendations to improve the system, if necessary. Study the issue of compliance with the Adam Walsh Act, focusing on the associated costs to the state and the punishment of juveniles. Examine the risk assessment tools used to measure the likelihood of recidivism of sexual predators.
2. Review statistics regarding the crime of driving while intoxicated, including accident statistics, alcohol-related deaths and injury, and other impacts on the community. Examine enforcement options used nationwide to deter driving under the influence and make recommendations to reduce the number of alcohol-related traffic fatalities and accidents in Texas.
3. Review the performance of the Fair Defense Act and the Task Force on Indigent Defense. Study key outcomes of the law, including: appointment rates in felony and misdemeanor cases; state and county indigent defense expenditures; attorney caseloads; attorney compensation; access to investigators and experts; and overall quality of counsel for the indigent. Examine the Task Force on Indigent Defense's effectiveness in monitoring and enforcing standards and design strategies to improve the delivery of services for indigent defense, including timing of the appointment of counsel, the use of the appointment wheel and the monitoring of workloads and performance of attorneys.
4. Study and make recommendations related to municipal jails and other detention facilities that operate without state agency oversight. Identify the number of such facilities and the population detained, as well as best practices for municipal jails. Make recommendations to improve services and consider options for oversight of facilities by the Texas Commission on Jail Standards.
5. Review the detention of juvenile offenders in local jails, state jails, and Texas Department of Criminal Justice prison units by examining conditions of confinement, including quality of education, mental health treatment and medical services, rehabilitative treatment, and equality of access to services for young female inmates. Review access to administrative and inspector general grievances in TDCJ facilities. Make recommendations for improving the system and reduce recidivism of juvenile offenders.
6. Study and make recommendations to ensure the accuracy and timeliness of testing done in Texas forensic laboratories, including DNA and blood/alcohol testing. Assess and make recommendations for improving the capacity of Texas criminal laboratories to process evidence, identify ways to reduce the backlog of DNA evidence processing, identify ways to encourage qualified applicants for crime lab jobs, ensure adequate training for new crime lab technicians, ensure the availability of efficient crime lab processing to all regions of the state, and determine the impact of additional collection requirements on the capacity of Texas crime labs to process evidence. Consider the costs and benefits of creating a statewide crime lab.
7. Assess how the Commission on Jail Standards, the Department of Public Safety, the Department of Criminal Justice, and Department of State Health Services are working together to identify defendants with mental health issues, notify magistrates when defendants have been identified and, where appropriate, provide crisis stabilization services to defendants. Monitor legislation passed by the 81st Legislature for mental illness and make recommendations for any needed improvements to improve mental health services and reduce recidivism.
8. Study and evaluate the success of juvenile probation pilot programs aimed at community-based diversion of youth from Texas Youth Commission facilities. Make recommendations for needed legislative action and additional programs to increase the number of delinquent youth successfully rehabilitated in their home communities.
9. Consider the impact that secondary education school disciplinary laws and policies have on the juvenile justice system and the adult prison system. Recommend changes, if needed, to current law.
10. Evaluate the usage of current Texas practices for facilitating the fair and accurate courtroom testimony of children and reducing the trauma associated with testifying, particularly for children who are victims of sexual abuse. Specifically consider recent efforts and trends across the nation to develop best practices, including "court orientation" programs, and ensure that courtrooms are more child friendly and accommodating for young victims to reduce the trauma associated with testifying in court while ensuring that fair and accurate information is solicited from the child as a witness.
11. Monitor the implementation of legislation addressed by the Senate Committee on Criminal Justice, 81st Legislature, Regular and Called Sessions, and make recommendations for any legislation needed to improve, enhance, and/or complete implementation.
  • Study the impact of certain provisions in the 2009 DPS Sunset bill on the timely processing of concealed handgun license applications and the issuance of licenses.
  • Monitor and make recommendations, if needed, on actions by TDCJ to improve security and reduce contraband.
Committee: House Corrections
Title: Interim Report
Subjects: Border security | County jails | Criminal justice | Criminal Justice, Texas Department of | Disciplinary alternative education programs | Inmate rehabilitation | Juvenile justice alternative education programs | Juvenile Probation Commission, Texas | Mentally ill inmates | Mentally ill persons | Municipal jails | Prisoner re-entry | State jail system | Substance abuse | Undocumented immigrants | Youth Commission, Texas |
Library Call Number: L1836.80 C817
Session: 80th R.S. (2007)
Online version: View report [66 pages  File size: 29,320 kb]
Charges: This report should address the charges below.
1. Explore the use of technology practices that improve efficiency, safety, and coordination of criminal justice activities on the state, local and county levels.
2. Consider new strategies for meeting prisoner reentry challenges in Texas, including the evaluation of programs with documented success. This review should include the availability of housing and occupational barriers.
3. Provide a comprehensive analysis and study of the Texas state jail system, including original intent for use, sentencing guidelines, and effectiveness. Develop suggestions for changes and improvements in the state jail system.
4. Study the organizational structure of the Texas Youth Commission and the Texas Juvenile Probation Commission to determine if the current system is effectively and efficiently addressing the needs of the juvenile justice system in conjunction with the sunset review of these agencies. (Joint Interim Charge with the House Committee on Juvenile Justice and Family Issues.)
5. Study Disciplinary Alternative Education Programs and Juvenile Justice Alternative Education Programs, including referral rates, age of students, whether parents have sufficient recourse to challenge a placement, funding, and course requirements. (Joint Interim Charge with the House Committee on Juvenile Justice and Family Issues.)
6. Review and research the availability, coordination, efficiency, and allocation of substance abuse treatment resources for probationers, pretrial defendants, people in the custody of the Texas Department of Criminal Justice (TDCJ), and parolees. This review should include methods to reduce and improve current assessments, training, and referring protocols and the identification of any barriers that may be impeding all of the above. (Joint Interim Charge wit the House Committee on Appropriations.)
7. Study policies and procedures related to illegal immigration and border security of the TDCJ, county probation departments, and local and county jail facilities, and make recommendations to improve coordination with international, federal, state and local authorities. (Joint Interim Charge with the House Committee on County Affairs.)
8. Assess the relationship between mental illness and criminal behavior and offer reforms needed to address the proliferation of mental illness in the adult and juvenile justice systems. This review should include an examination of data sharing between criminal justice and health and human services agencies, proper screening, assessments, treatment, discharge planning, post-release supervision, and community services. (Joint Charge with the House Committee on Appropriations.)
9. Monitor the agencies and programs under the committee's jurisdiction.
Committee: Senate Criminal Justice
Title: Interim Report
Library Catalog Title: Interim report to the 81st Legislature
Subjects: Capital murder trials | Child abuse | Correctional officers | Criminal justice | Criminal Justice, Texas Department of | Deferred adjudication | Drug trafficking | Homicide | Juvenile justice system | Mental health services | Mentally ill inmates | Methamphetamine | Occupational licenses | Ombudsmen | Pardons and Paroles, Texas Board of | Penalties and sentences (Criminal justice) | Police officers | Prison population | Prison security | Prisoner re-entry | Privately-operated prisons | Pseudoephedrine | Recidivism | Searches and seizures | Sex offenders | Substance abuse | Texas Code of Criminal Procedure | Theft | Youth Commission, Texas | Youthful offenders |
Library Call Number: L1836.80 C868
Session: 80th R.S. (2007)
Online version: View report [113 pages  File size: 13,967 kb]
Charges: This report should address the charges below.
1. Determine how private prisons are complying with state laws and how cost, safety, living conditions and rehabilitative services at private prisons compare with state-run facilities. Include an assessment of the staff turnover rates and compensation of private contractors when compared with state-operated facilities, and of the contract bidding processes used by the Texas Youth Commission and the Texas Department of Criminal Justice.
2. Monitor the implementation of SB 103, 80th R.S., and the continuing reforms to the Texas Youth Commission and the juvenile criminal justice system. Identify barriers to effective implementation and provide recommendations to ensure that the goals of this legislation are achieved. Provide recommendations relating to best practices and identify needed additional treatment programs for juvenile sex offenders.
3. Study the impact of laws designed to reduce illegal drug use and make recommendations for reducing access to illegal drugs and for developing best practices for preventative programs, focusing on drugs targeted for the younger population, such as cheese heroin. Assess the impact of limiting access to pseudoephedrine, including the impact restrictions have had on illegal manufacturers' methods for producing methamphetamine.
4. Monitor the implementation of the new and expanded programs provided to the Texas Department of Criminal Justice (TDCJ) within the Fiscal Year 2008 and 2009 budget, and identify their impact on the criminal justice populations. Study security issues within TDCJ, including staffing issues, use of lock down procedures, the control and containment of infectious diseases and the introduction and control of contraband within the institutions. Review the use of career ladders for employees of TDCJ and issues surrounding the retention of professional corrections staff. Study the issues of independent oversight of TDCJ, including the use and effectiveness of the TDCJ ombudsman system. Provide recommendations for the reduction or elimination of barriers to an effective corrections system.
5. Study and make recommendations for reducing the number of law enforcement officer deaths in the line of duty. This study should include:
  • an assessment of the types of calls and assignments that put law enforcement officers most at risk;
  • the geographic regions of the state that suffer the most deaths;
  • the agencies experiencing the highest rate of deaths in the line of duty;
  • the time in an officer's career, and the officer's age that he or she is most susceptible to death in the line of duty; and
  • the times of year, month, and day that are most dangerous.
6. Study the issue of criminal asset seizure and the use of seized and forfeiture funds by district attorneys and law enforcement agencies. Review the oversight of these matters by the Texas Attorney General and provide recommendations to improve the dissemination of information concerning these funds. Ensure that these funds have the appropriate accountability and fiscal controls required for public funds.
7. Study the system of deferred adjudication in Texas courts and make recommendations for resolving any problems and reducing the potential for release of dangerous criminals.
8. Study and recommend best practices for reducing re-victimization of child abuse victims associated with delay in resolution of criminal cases. Recommend options for reducing the time lapse between child victimization and criminal hearings.
9. Review the processes for re-entry of criminal offenders into communities. Identify barriers to the successful return to law-abiding behavior, including the absence of employment opportunities created by restriction on obtaining certain state occupational licenses. Provide recommendations for improvements to our current statutes governing this matter.
10. Study whether Articles 36.09 (relating to trying multiple defendants from the same transaction either separately or jointly) and 36.10 (relating to severing defendants that show prejudice from a joint trial) of the Texas Code of Criminal Procedure provide sufficient safeguards to ensure fair and reliable trial results in capital cases with multiple defendants. Determine whether the articles provide trial judges with sufficient instruction regarding joinder or severance of defendants and, if not, make recommendations to improve procedures.
11. Study the relationship between the public mental health system and the criminal justice and civil courts systems, including the identification and sharing of information regarding mentally ill offenders, including minors, among criminal justice and mental health agencies, the courts, state hospitals, and the Veterans Administration. Study how current confidentiality laws impact the exchange of information among groups described above. Study the sentencing of mentally ill offenders compared to non-mentally ill offenders, including minors, and the affect that has on statewide prison capacity and on the health care provided to mentally ill offenders. (Joint Charge with Senate State Affairs Committee)
12. Monitor the implementation of legislation addressed by the Criminal Justice Committee, 80th R.S., and make recommendations for any legislation needed to improve, enhance, and/or complete implementation. Specifically, report on the implementation of SB 909, 80th R.S., the Texas Department of Criminal Justice Sunset legislation, including provisions relating to the Board of Pardons and Paroles, and monitor implementation of the new laws relating to copper theft (SB 1154, 80th R.S., HB 1766, 80th R.S., and HB 1767, 80th R.S.).
Committee: Senate State Affairs
Title: Interim Report
Subjects: Eight-liners | Election fraud | Employees Retirement System of Texas | Entergy Corporation | Gambling | Health care costs | Health insurance | Health maintenance organizations | Insurance industry | Investment of public funds | Legislative intent | Medical research | Medically uninsured | Mental health services | Mentally ill inmates | Mentally ill persons | Privatization | Public retirement systems | Statutory revision | Strategic Lawsuits Against Public Participation | Texas Health Insurance Risk Pool | Texas Lottery | Tort reform | Voter identification | Voting systems | Workers' compensation |
Library Call Number: L1836.80 St29a
Session: 80th R.S. (2007)
Online version: View report [308 pages  File size: 43,740 kb]
Charges: This report should address the charges below.
1. Study the factors that impact the transparency and efficiency of the health insurance market. Make recommendation to result in the use of best practices, lower health care costs, and better health outcomes, including the following:
  • Study factors contributing to the increasing cost of health care;
  • Study insurer and health maintenance organization (HMO) use of tiers, ratings, or classifications to differentiate among credentialed physicians already admitted to the insurer or HMO panel of preferred providers or network;
  • Examine methods to remediate incorrect tiering, ratings, or classifications;
  • Examine how physicians are notified of the standards against which they will be compared and whether they are notified of the standards prior to the evaluation period;
  • Improve transparency with respect to the marketing of prescription drugs; and
  • Study the use of certain nonprofit health corporations - approved under Chapter 162, Occupations Code, in Texas. Examine whether such entities operate on a statewide scale or on a limited scale, whether such entities adhere to the formalities required of corporations, whether the operation of such entities are influenced by owners or members who are not licensed to practice medicine, and whether such entities have ever been decertified or investigated for failure to maintain compliance with Texas law or regulations.
2. Study and make recommendations for reducing the number of uninsured Texans, focusing on the following:
  • Options to increase access to private health insurance, including 3 Share programs, employer sponsored plans and portable, individual insurance;
  • Incentives for encouraging counties and local governments to participate in private health insurance cost sharing for their respective residents;
  • Options to reduce health care premiums, including creation of special plans with increased deductibles and catastrophic coverage;
  • Implementation and possible expansion of health services districts;
  • Other state programs for increasing market-based coverage of the uninsured, including costs and effectiveness;
  • Options that will increase consumer choice and personal responsibility; and
  • Analysis of state and federal regulations that contribute to higher premium costs.
3. Study and make recommendations relating to the Texas Health Insurance Risk Pool, including the current eligibility for coverage requirements, the economic profiles of participants and former participants, the affordability of the insurance products’ premiums and deductibles, and the public's awareness of the Pool.
4. Study the issue of security and accuracy in Texas elections. The study should include the benefits and risks of electronic voting technology, including the necessity of maintaining a paper record of each electronic vote. The study should also include an analysis of fraud in Texas elections, including prosecution rates for voter fraud, the processes for purging ineligible voters from voter lists, and the integrity of the mail-in and provisional ballot systems. Study the effectiveness of electronic voting technology and voter ID laws in other states. Monitor the implementation of the federal Help America Vote Act of 2002, including the implementation of the Texas Election Administration Management system. Recommend statutory and regulatory changes designed to ensure that only eligible voters are allowed to vote in Texas elections and that each vote is accurately counted.
5. Review and make recommendations for requiring insurance coverage of routine medical care for patients with a life-threatening disease or condition who have elected to participate in a clinical trial.
6. Study the economic impact of recent civil justice reform legislation in Texas.
7. Study whether Texas should adopt the Restatement 2nd of Torts Sec. 674 (Wrongful use of Civil Proceedings) and whether a person should be allowed to recover court and attorneys fees when he has been forced to defend a lawsuit filed without probable cause or for intimidation purposes.
8. Monitor the Texas workers' compensation system, and the continued implementation of the reforms of HB 7, 79th R.S., by the Texas Department of Insurance and other state agencies. Specifically evaluate the recent decision by the Texas Supreme Court in Entergy v. Summers in terms of its impact and the impact of previous legislation on the workers' compensation system.
9. Study and make recommendations to reduce illegal gambling in Texas, including, but not limited to, the illegal use of Eight-Liners.
10. Analyze the advantages and disadvantages of phasing in a defined-contribution pension for future employees versus the existing defined-benefit pension plan. Study options for transition or implementation issues and how the phase-in could be structured. Evaluate the possibility of requiring the state employee contribution rate to meet the annually required contribution for the statewide retirement funds each biennium in order to prevent unfunded liabilities.
11. Study the relationship between the public mental health system and the criminal justice and civil courts systems, including the identification and sharing of information regarding mentally ill offenders, including minors, among criminal justice and mental health agencies, the courts, state hospitals, and the Veterans Administration. Study how current confidentiality laws impact the exchange of information among groups described above. Study the sentencing of mentally ill offenders compared to non-mentally ill offenders, including minors, and the affect that has on statewide prison capacity and on the quality of health care provided to mentally ill offenders. (Joint charge with Senate Criminal Justice Committee)
12. Review and evaluate appropriate state regulation of a private operator of the state lottery should the state receive bids for a lease of the lottery that merit strong consideration. Provide recommendations for ensuring the security and integrity of the lottery and for adequate consumer protections. (Joint charge with Senate Finance Committee)
13. Study the feasibility and the advisability of establishing an investment policy that is consistent across all state trust funds, including the trust funds of the Employees Retirement System, the Teachers Retirement System, the Permanent University Fund, and the Permanent School Fund. Identify best investment policies for state trust funds. Examine recent portfolio diversification strategies and the effect they have on long-term fund performance. The recommendations should consider what is an acceptable rate of return, an acceptable degree of risk, the appropriateness of certain investments. (Joint charge with Senate Finance Committee)
14. Monitor the implementation of legislation addressed by the State Affairs Committee, 80th R.S., and make recommendations for any legislation needed to improve, enhance, and/or complete implementation. In particular, monitor and report on the effect of HB 2365, 80th R.S., which allows public entities to report "other post employment benefits" (OPEBs) on a statutory modified accrual basis, including any effect on auditor opinions, bond ratings, or other fiscal issues. Monitor the implementation of SB 1731, 80th R.S., relating to transparency of health information, and SB 1846, 80th R.S., relating to TRS.
Committee: House Corrections
Title: Interim Report
Library Catalog Title: House Committee on Corrections, Texas House of Representatives interim report, 2006 : a report to the House of Representatives, 80th Texas Legislature
Subjects: After school programs | County jails | Crime prevention | Criminal Justice Advisory Council | Criminal Justice Policy Council | Criminal Justice, Texas Department of | Criminally insane | Disciplinary alternative education programs | Drug rehabilitation programs | Elderly inmates | Inmate education | Inmate health | Inmate rehabilitation | Inmates | Juvenile crime | Juvenile justice alternative education programs | Juvenile justice system | Juvenile Probation Commission, Texas | Mentally disabled inmates | Mentally ill inmates | Prison population | Privately-operated prisons | Probation | Sex offenders | State employee turnover | Windham School District | Women inmates | Youth Commission, Texas |
Library Call Number: L1836.79 C817
Session: 79th R.S. (2005)
Online version: View report [150 pages  File size: 34,034 kb]
Charges: This report should address the charges below.
1. Study the organizational structure of the department to determine if the current system is effectively and efficiently addressing the needs of all components of the criminal justice system in conjunction with the Sunset review of the Texas Department of Criminal Justice (TDCJ) in 2007.
2. Examine the probation system and reforms debated during the 79th Legislature, including using strategies such as graduated sanctions and specialized courts for reducing revocations and recidivism. Study the organization and cost of our probation system and make recommendations about how to prioritize and strengthen general supervision.
3. Evaluate the correctional health care systems in other states as they compare to the Texas health care system, with a focus on greater accountability and competition among providers.
4. Assess the programming needs for special populations in the Texas Department of Criminal Justice (TDCJ).
5. Review the operation and organization of the Windham School District.
6. Study the adequacy of the state accountability system in measuring the effectiveness of Disciplinary Alternative Education Programs (DAEPs) based on academic performance, behavior modification and percentage of students referred to the juvenile justice system. (Joint interim charge with the House Committee on Public Education.)
7. Study the effectiveness of prevention programs, such as after school programs, in reducing the actual indices of crime and the rate of young offenders entering the criminal justice system. (Joint interim charge with the House Committee on Juvenile Justice and Family Issues.)
8. Monitor the agencies and programs under the committee's oversight and monitor the Governor's Judicial Advisory Council.
Committee: Senate Criminal Justice
Title: Interim Report
Library Catalog Title: Interim report to the 80th Legislature
Subjects: Border drug trafficking | Border issues | Border security | Child abuse | Competency to stand trial | Inmate health | Mentally ill inmates | Methamphetamine | Non-citizen inmates | Privately-operated prisons | Probation | Pseudoephedrine | Youth Commission, Texas |
Library Call Number: L1836.79 C868
Session: 79th R.S. (2005)
Online version: View report [69 pages  File size: 16,360 kb]
Charges: This report should address the charges below.
1. Study the resources and facilities available to offenders with mental health needs in the Texas criminal justice system. Provide an inventory of resources and facilities. Develop recommendations to better allocate existing resources and efficiently address the needs of this population.
2. Study the expenditure patterns and identify trends in the community supervision and corrections departments' use of state and local monies, known collectively as the Judicial Districts Trust Funds. Ascertain the percentages spent on direct supervision of probationers and identify notable policy decisions. Provide recommendations for improvements and methods of maximizing the use of these funds.
3. Examine the allegations of abuse and neglect within the Texas Youth Commission (TYC) facilities and the appropriateness of TYC response. Include an analysis of factors that may be affecting the safety of inmates and staff and make recommendations for Legislative actions to improve the safety of inmates and staff at these facilities.
4. Monitor the implementation of legislation relating to reducing the production and abuse of methamphetamine, including the predicted impact of methamphetamine's increased availability on state resources and criminal justice populations, and make recommendations for additional programs for further reductions in abuse and production.
5. Study and make recommendations for methods to reduce kidnapping and violence along the Texas Border, focusing on reducing drug-related crime.
6. Monitor the expenditure of funds for adult probation services dedicated to the lowering of revocations to state prisons and state jails. Examine the compliance with and effectiveness of associated budget riders and make recommendations for future funding needs.
7. Study the feasibility of the State of Texas establishing or contracting with a private prison facility in the country of Mexico in order to house non-violent Mexican Nationals currently being housed in Texas prisons.
8. Review other states' correctional health care systems and make recommendations, if necessary, for improving the effectiveness and efficiency of Texas' system.
Committee: Senate Health and Human Services
Title: Interim Report
Library Catalog Title: Interim report to the 80th Legislature
Subjects: 211 telephone system | Adult Protective Services | Caseworkers | Child nutrition programs | Child Protective Services | Children's Health Insurance Program enrollment and eligibility | Children's mental health | Diet and nutrition | Family and Protective Services, Texas Department of | Federally qualified health centers | Guardianship | Health care | Immunizations | Influenza | Medicaid | Medical assistants | Mental health services | Mentally ill inmates | Mentally ill persons | Nurses | Nursing shortages | Obesity | Pharmacists | Physical fitness | Physicians | Services for persons with disabilities | Social service agencies | Stem cell research | Telemedicine | Texas Emerging Technology Fund |
Library Call Number: L1836.79 H349
Session: 79th R.S. (2005)
Online version: View report [201 pages  File size: 3,167 kb]
Charges: This report should address the charges below.
1. Study and make recommendations for improving delivery of Texas' mental health services; consider local and regional delivery systems including access to care, cost effectiveness, choice and competition, and quality of care.
2. Monitor state and federal Medicaid reform proposals, including their impact on the Medicaid program in Texas, as well as cost-containment measures in other states, and make recommendations for legislative action, as appropriate.
3. Study and make recommendations relating to filling shortages in the health care workforce and improving medical educational services. Evaluate the state's use of the National Health Service Corps and Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs) to address the needs of the Medicaid/Medicare and underinsured populations
4. Examine the strategies used by other states that have had success with FQHCs and make recommendations for increasing the number of FQHCs in Texas.
5. Study and make recommendations relating to policy issues surrounding the use of emerging skin cell research, and other technologies.
6. Study and make recommendations for improving vaccination rates and ensuring an adequate vaccination supply in the state. Include an analysis of vaccine manufacturing and purchasing policies.
7. Evaluate and make recommendations relating to the creation of a comprehensive and statewide nutrition and physical activity plan to address obesity and chronic diseases. Examine options for funding components of such a plan.
8. Monitor the implementation of SB 6, 79th R.S., relating to Child and Adult Protective Services. Study and make recommendations for development and enhancements to protocols for joint investigations by child protective service workers and law enforcement and for interviews with children for disclosure of abuse.
9. Study the current use of the 2-1-1 network to provide access to information on federal, state, and local resources. Examine and make recommendations on strategies that improve the coordination of service information and expand the availability of information on services currently provided by community and faith-based organizations.
10. Monitor the implementation of HB 2292, 78th R.S., relating to health and human services. Focus on implementation of service coordination and consolidation efforts to assess the impact on service quality, while reducing costs.
Committee: Senate Health and Human Services
Title: Interim Report - Joint with Committee on State Affairs
Library Catalog Title: Joint interim report to the 80th Legislature
Subjects: Competency to stand trial | Criminally insane | End of life issues | Long-term care | Long-term care insurance | Medicaid | Medical savings accounts | Mental health services | Mentally ill inmates | Prescription drug costs | Prescription drugs | Reverse mortgages | State hospitals |
Library Call Number: L1836.79 H349sa
Session: 79th R.S. (2005)
Online version: View report [82 pages  File size: 3,061 kb]
Charges: This report should address the charges below.
1. Examine and make recommendations, if necessary, regarding the state's role in regulating pharmacy benefit managers in the interest of consumer protection. Examine alternative methods of dispensing maintenance drugs, including mail service and retail pharmacies, and provide an analysis of the state's role in protecting consumers. Joint Charge with State Affairs Committee.
2. Study how to reduce dependence on Medicaid for the provision of long term care by increasing use of long-term care insurance and health savings accounts. Include a study of options for increasing the use of advance planning tools, such as health care power of attorney and living wills, to ensure more effective decision-making regarding critical end-of-life and other health care decisions. Finally, study the feasibility of implementing innovative models of nursing facility services that encourage autonomy, choice and dignity of residents. Joint Charge with State Affairs Committee.
3. Study the current laws/policies relating to forensic patients in our State Hospitals and Community Mental Health Organizations. Include analysis of and recommendations relating to pre- and post-trial forensic patients, competency laws and procedures, current treatment policies and guidelines, cost and placement considerations for creating specialty units for forensic patients, judicial discretion and medical best practices. Joint Charge with State Affairs Committee.
Committee: Senate State Affairs
Title: Interim Report - Joint with Committee on Health and Human Services
Library Catalog Title: Joint interim report to the 80th Legislature
Subjects: Competency to stand trial | Criminally insane | End of life issues | Long-term care | Long-term care insurance | Medicaid | Mental health services | Mentally ill inmates | Nursing homes | Prescription drug costs | State hospitals |
Library Call Number: L1836.79 H349sa
Session: 79th R.S. (2005)
Online version: View report [82 pages  File size: 3,061 kb]
Charges: This report should address the charges below.
1. Examine and make recommendations, if necessary, regarding the state's role in regulating pharmacy benefit managers in the interest of consumer protection. Examine alternative methods of dispensing maintenance drugs, including mail service and retail pharmacies, and provide an analysis of the state's role in protecting consumers. Joint Charge with Health and Human Services Committee
2. Study how to reduce dependence on Medicaid for the provision of long term care by increasing use of long-term care insurance and health savings accounts. Include a study of options for increasing the use of advance planning tools, such as health care power of attorney and living wills, to ensure more effective decision-making regarding critical end-of-life and other health care decisions. Finally, study the feasibility of implementing innovative models of nursing facility services that encourage autonomy, choice and dignity of residents. Joint Charge with Health and Human Services Committee.
3. Study the current laws/policies relating to forensic patients in our State Hospitals and Community Mental Health Organizations. Include analysis of and recommendations relating to pre- and post-trial forensic patients, competency laws and procedures, current treatment policies and guidelines, cost and placement considerations for creating specialty units for forensic patients, judicial discretion and medical best practices. Joint Charge with Health and Human Services Committee.
Committee: House Corrections
Title: Interim Report
Library Catalog Title: House Committee on Corrections, Texas House of Representatives interim report, 2004 : a report to the House of Representatives, 79th Texas Legislature
Subjects: Criminal justice | Mentally disabled inmates | Mentally ill inmates | Parole | Privately-operated prisons | Probation | Sex offenders |
Library Call Number: L1836.78 C817
Session: 78th R.S. (2003)
Online version: View report [49 pages  File size: 2,742 kb]
Charges: This report should address the charges below.
1. Review the effectiveness, efficiency and funding mechanisms of the community supervision and parole supervision systems. Examine accountability for various community supervision programs administered through local community supervision and corrections departments. Study the advisability, methods and costs of creating a progressive-sanctions model for the adult criminal justice system. (Joint interim charge with House Appropriations Committee)
2. Study targeted contracting and review strategies and initiatives in the prison system related to oversight, efficiency, effectiveness and potential cost-savings of contracted services by private sector vendors.
3. Study the Council on Sex Offender Treatment, including treatment methods and effectiveness and explore the possibility of licensing of registered sex offender treatment providers.
4. Study the criminal justice mental health initiative in coordination with the Texas Correctional Office on Offenders with Medical or Mental Impairments.
5. Monitor the agencies and programs under the committee's oversight jurisdiction.
Committee: Joint Criminal Justice System, Special, Interim
Title: Interim Report
Library Catalog Title: To the speaker and members of the Texas House of Representatives, 68th Legislature : report / of the Committee on Criminal Justice System of Texas, the Texas House of Representatives, 67th Legislature.
Subjects: Alternatives to incarceration | At-risk youth | Crime prevention | Criminal justice | Inmates | Juvenile justice alternative education programs | Mentally disabled inmates | Mentally ill inmates | State agencies |
Library Call Number: L1836.67 c868
Session: 67th R.S. (1981)
Online version: View report [24 pages  File size: 1,014 kb]
Charges: This report should address the charges below.
1. Examine the specific role of each state agency in the criminal justice system and determine methods of coordination of services.
2. Identify any areas within the system in which state and local funds can be used more prudently and with greater effectiveness.
3. Examine the education programs of our schools to determine ways of deterring crime.
4. Identify any instances of duplication of services that can be prevented and offer suggestions for the avoidance of such duplication.
5. Identify groups of offenders that need special services not currently being provided and determine means of providing those services.
6. Examine alternatives to incarceration, such as restitution, and develop new programs for the implementation of those alternatives.
7. Seek methods and determine strategies for crime prevention.
Supporting documents
Committee: Joint Criminal Justice System, Special, Interim
Title: HCR 119
Library Call Number: HCR 119
Session: 67th R.S. (1981)
Online version: View document [6 pages  File size: 2,586 kb]
Committee: Joint Prison Reform
Title: Interim Report
Library Catalog Title: Final report of the Joint Committee on Prison Reform of the Texas Legislature.
Subjects: Alternatives to incarceration | Correctional officers | Corrections, Texas Department of | Criminal justice | Inmate classification | Inmate education | Inmate health | Inmate rehabilitation | Mentally disabled inmates | Mentally ill inmates | Parole | Prison labor | Prison population | Prison reform | Prisons |
Library Call Number: L1836.63 p938r 1974
Session: 63rd R.S. (1973)
Online version: View report [102 pages  File size: 6,356 kb]
Charge: This report should address the charge below.
1. Study needed reforms in the Texas system of imprisonment of convicted persons with the purpose of seeking meaningful alternatives to the present anti-social aspects of the system which are not conducive to the rehabilitation of inmates and their return to society as productive, useful, and law-abiding citizens.
Supporting documents
Committee: Joint Prison Reform
Title: Building tender system : supplemental report : working paper
Library Catalog Title: Building tender system : supplemental report : working paper / submitted to the Joint Committee on Prison Reform by John Albach.
Library Call Number: L1836.63 p938wb
Session: 63rd R.S. (1973)
Online version: View document [5 pages]
Committee: Joint Prison Reform
Title: Custody and security working paper.
Library Catalog Title: Custody and security working paper / submitted to Joint Committee on Prison Reform by Wayne Oakes.
Library Call Number: L1836.63 p938wc
Session: 63rd R.S. (1973)
Online version: View document [10 pages]
Committee: Joint Prison Reform
Title: Inmate living conditions : housing supplemental report : working paper
Library Catalog Title: Inmate living conditions : housing supplemental report : working paper / submitted to Joint Committee on Prison Reform by John Albach.
Library Call Number: L1836.63 p938wl
Session: 63rd R.S. (1973)
Online version: View document [23 pages]
Committee: Joint Prison Reform
Title: Report on investigation of the Gatesville incident
Library Catalog Title: Report on investigation of the Gatesville incident / Wayne Oakes, William K. Kimble.
Library Call Number: L1836.63 p938g
Session: 63rd R.S. (1973)
Online version: View document [8 pages]
Committee: Joint Prison Reform
Title: Report on Joint Committee on Prison Reform
Library Catalog Title: Report on Joint Committee on Prison Reform / Nancy Tarlton.
Library Call Number: L1836.63 p938iy
Session: 63rd R.S. (1973)
Online version: View document [6 pages]
Committee: Joint Prison Reform
Title: Report on investigation of incident at Ramsey I
Library Catalog Title: Report on investigation of incident at Ramsey I, Thursday, November 8, 1973 / Wayne Oakes, John Albach.
Library Call Number: L1836.63 p938ir
Session: 63rd R.S. (1973)
Online version: View document [6 pages]
Committee: Joint Prison Reform
Title: Letter concerning discharge or TYC employee
Library Catalog Title: [Letter concerning discharge or TYC employee] / Nancy Tarlton.
Library Call Number: L1836.63 p938y
Session: 63rd R.S. (1973)
Online version: View document [7 pages]
Committee: Joint Prison Reform
Title: Report to the Joint Committee on Prison Reform
Library Catalog Title: Report to the Joint Committee on Prison Reform / Nancy Tarlton.
Library Call Number: L1836.63 p938gm
Session: 63rd R.S. (1973)
Online version: View document [5 pages]
Committee: Joint Prison Reform
Title: Events leading up to today's meeting
Library Catalog Title: Events leading up to today's meeting / Wayne Oakes.
Library Call Number: L1836.63 p938h 12/6/1973
Session: 63rd R.S. (1973)
Online version: View document [6 pages]
Committee: Joint Prison Reform
Title: Proposed outline for prison study
Library Catalog Title: Proposed outline for prison study / John Albach.
Library Call Number: L1836.63 p938po
Session: 63rd R.S. (1973)
Online version: View document [3 pages]
Committee: Joint Prison Reform
Title: Research literature
Library Catalog Title: Research literature / John Albach.
Library Call Number: L1836.63 p938b
Session: 63rd R.S. (1973)
Online version: View document [2 pages]
Committee: Joint Prison Reform
Title: Future policy toward incarceration
Library Catalog Title: [Future policy toward incarceration].
Library Call Number: L1836.63 p938p
Session: 63rd R.S. (1973)
Online version: View document [2 pages]
Committee: Joint Prison Reform
Title: Housing working paper
Library Catalog Title: Housing working paper / submitted to Joint Committee on Prison Reform by Erasmo Andrade.
Library Call Number: L1836.63 P938WH
Session: 63rd R.S. (1973)
Online version: View document [51 pages]
Committee: Joint Prison Reform
Title: Inmate living conditions supplemental report
Library Catalog Title: Inmate living conditions supplemental report / submitted to Joint Committee on Prison Reform by Wayne Oakes.
Library Call Number: L1836.63 P938WLO
Session: 63rd R.S. (1973)
Online version: View document [3 pages]
Committee: Joint Prison Reform
Title: Labor and industry : working paper
Library Catalog Title: Labor and industry : working paper / submitted to Joint Committee on Prison Reform by Val Mendoza.
Library Call Number: L1836.63 P938WPL
Session: 63rd R.S. (1973)
Online version: View document [36 pages]
Committee: Joint Prison Reform
Title: Measurements of recidivism
Library Catalog Title: Measurements of recidivism for the Joint Committee on Prison Reform.
Library Call Number: L1836.63 p938m
Session: 63rd R.S. (1973)
Online version: View document [41 pages]
Committee: Joint Prison Reform
Title: Parole : working paper
Library Catalog Title: Parole : working paper / submitted to Joint Committee on Prison Reform by Mary Ann Beaty-Arnold.
Library Call Number: L1836.63 P938WPP
Session: 63rd R.S. (1973)
Online version: View document [96 pages]
Committee: Joint Prison Reform
Title: Press releases
Library Catalog Title: Press releases.
Library Call Number: L1836.63 p938
Session: 63rd R.S. (1973)
Online version: View document [18 pages]
Committee: Joint Prison Reform
Title: Progress reports of the Joint Committee on Prison Reform
Library Catalog Title: [Progress reports of the Joint Committee on Prison Reform]
Library Call Number: L1836.63 p938rp
Session: 63rd R.S. (1973)
Online version: View document [8 pages]
Committee: Joint Prison Reform
Title: Project proposal : a study of the Texas Department of Corrections
Library Catalog Title: Project proposal : a study of the Texas Department of Corrections / Joint Committee on Prison Reform.
Library Call Number: L1836.63 p938pp
Session: 63rd R.S. (1973)
Online version: View document [14 pages]
Committee: Joint Prison Reform
Title: Report to the Joint Committee on Prison Reform
Library Catalog Title: Report to the Joint Committee on Prison Reform / Nancy Tarlton.
Library Call Number: L1836.63 p938gr
Session: 63rd R.S. (1973)
Online version: View document [7 pages]
Committee: Joint Prison Reform
Title: Report to the Joint Committee on Prison Reform
Library Catalog Title: Report to the Joint Committee on Prison Reform / Erasmo Andrade.
Library Call Number: L1836.63 P938WV
Session: 63rd R.S. (1973)
Online version: View document [6 pages]
Committee: Joint Prison Reform
Title: Suggested topics for legislation
Library Catalog Title: Suggested topics for legislation.
Library Call Number: L1836.63 p938s
Session: 63rd R.S. (1973)
Online version: View document [3 pages]
Committee: Joint Prison Reform
Title: The Coffield Unit : a new prison for Texas
Library Catalog Title: The Coffield Unit : a new prison for Texas / submitted to the Joint Committee on Prison Reform by James Blume, Paul Keeper, John Albach.
Library Call Number: L1836.63 p938w
Session: 63rd R.S. (1973)
Online version: View document [23 pages]
Committee: Joint Prison Reform
Title: Transactional interview
Library Catalog Title: Transactional interview
Library Call Number: L1836.63 P938TO
Session: 63rd R.S. (1973)
Online version: View document [106 pages]
Committee: Joint Prison Reform
Title: Working papers
Library Catalog Title: Working papers submitted to Joint Committee on Prison Reform / by committee staff.
Library Call Number: L1836.63 p938wp
Session: 63rd R.S. (1973)
Online version: View document [676 pages]
Committee: Joint Prison Reform
Title: Meeting with Ron Jackson, Acting Director of the Texas Youth Council
Library Catalog Title: Meeting with Ron Jackson, Acting Director of the Texas Youth Council / John Albach.
Library Call Number: L1836.63 p938yp
Session: 63rd R.S. (1973)
Online version: View document [1 pages]
Committee: Joint Prison Reform
Title: Testimony of W.J. Estelle, Jr.
Library Catalog Title: Testimony of W.J. Estelle, Jr. director of Department of Corrections.
Library Call Number: L1836.63 p938te
Session: 63rd R.S. (1973)
Online version: View document [52 pages]
Committee: Joint Prison Reform
Title: The Texas Department of Corrections
Library Catalog Title: The Texas Department of Corrections / Wyane Oakes.
Library Call Number: L1836.63 p938wd
Session: 63rd R.S. (1973)
Online version: View document [10 pages]
Committee: Joint Prison Reform
Title: Ellis Unit
Library Catalog Title: Ellis Unit / John Albach.
Library Call Number: L1836.63 p938re
Session: 63rd R.S. (1973)
Online version: View document [8 pages]
Committee: Joint Prison Reform
Title: Survey of prisoner correspondence as of August 15, 1974
Library Catalog Title: Survey of prisoner correspondence as of August 15, 1974 / Joint Committee on Prison Reform.
Library Call Number: L1836.63 p938su
Session: 63rd R.S. (1973)
Online version: View document [2 pages]
Committee: Joint Prison Reform
Title: [Letter to the Joint Committee on Prison Reform
Library Catalog Title: [Letter to the Joint Committee on Prison Reform] / Delmar L. Watson.
Library Call Number: L1836.63 P938T
Session: 63rd R.S. (1973)
Online version: View document [7 pages]
Committee: Joint Prison Reform
Title: Report of the Citizens Advisory Committee to the Joint Committee on Prison Reform of the Texas Legislature
Library Catalog Title: Report of the Citizens Advisory Committee to the Joint Committee on Prison Reform of the Texas Legislature.
Library Call Number: L1836.63 p938cr 1974
Session: 63rd R.S. (1973)
Online version: View document [116 pages]
Committee: Joint Prison Reform
Title: Report to the 63rd Leg. Joint Committee on Prison Reform of the Citizen's Advisory Committee on Prison Reform
Library Catalog Title: Report to the 63rd Leg. Joint Committee on Prison Reform / Citizen's Advisory Committee on Prison Reform
Library Call Number: L1836.63 P938cr
Session: 63rd R.S. (1973)
Online version: View document [205 pages]
Committee: House Facility for the Criminally Insane
Title: Transcript, June 26, 1970
Library Catalog Title: Minutes
Library Call Number: L1836.61 F118M 6/26/70
Session: 61st R.S. (1969)
Online version: View document [10 pages  File size: 4,551 kb]
Committee: House Facility for the Criminally Insane
Title: Transcript, October 6, 1970
Library Catalog Title: Minutes
Library Call Number: L1836.61 F118M 10/6/70
Session: 61st R.S. (1969)
Online version: View document [40 pages  File size: 17,996 kb]
Committee: House Facilities for the Criminally Insane and the Insane Criminal
Title: Interim Report
Library Catalog Title: This may make you mad -- : a report to the 61th Legislature / by the House Interim Committee on Facilities for the Criminally Insane and Insane Criminal.
Subjects: Criminally insane | Mentally ill inmates | Mentally ill persons | State hospitals |
Library Call Number: L1836.60 f118
Session: 60th R.S. (1967)
Online version: View report [44 pages  File size: 2,360 kb]
Charge: This report should address the charge below.
1. The study shall be made in depth, to include legal, medical, rehabilitative, and preventive aspects of mental illness with criminal tendencies, and the entire study shall be related to care and facilities based on the maximum of 250 patients.
Committee: House State Eleemosynary and Reformatory Institutions, Investigation
Title: Interim Report
Library Catalog Title: Special Committee Report.
Subjects: Mental health services | Mentally ill inmates | Social service agencies | Texas Confederate Home |
Library Call Number: L1836.48 EL25R 1945 / H.J. of Tex., 49th Leg. R.S. 219 (1945)
Session: 48th R.S. (1943)
Online version: View report [11 pages  File size: 577 kb]
Charge: This report should address the charge below.
1. Continue oversight and investigation of the state's eleemosynary and reformatory institutions. *
Committee: House State Eleemosynary and Reformatory Institutions Subcommittee on State Institutions for Insane, Special
Title: Report
Library Catalog Title: Report of the subcommittee [to the Committee] on Eleemosynary and Reformatory Institutions
Subjects: Mental health services | Mentally ill inmates | State hospitals |
Library Call Number: H.J. of Tex., 44th Leg., 3rd C.S. 235 (1936)
Session: 44th R.S. (1935)
Online version: View report [4 pages  File size: 162 kb]
Charge: This report should address the charge below.
1. Investigate the conditions existing in the State Insane Institutions and the conditions of various county jails throughout Texas wherein insane patients are incarcerated, and investigate into the needs of such State Institutions, and the proper appropriation necessary to adequately provide for these unfortunates.
Committee: House Accommodating the Insane, Provisions for
Title: Report
Library Catalog Title: Report
Subjects: Austin State Hospital | County jails | Mental health services | Mentally ill inmates | Mentally ill persons | Racial discrimination | San Antonio State Hospital | Terrell State Hospital |
Library Call Number: H.J. of Tex., 34th Leg., 1st C.S. 441 (1915)
Session: 34th R.S. (1915)
Online version: View report [1 pages]
Charge: This report should address the charge below.
1. Inquire into and ascertain as to whether or not sufficient appropriation has been made and ample quarters provided for the properly caring for these insane of our state in a humane manner.
Committee: House Penitentiaries and Convict Farms, Special
Title: Report
Library Catalog Title: [Report].
Subjects: Mentally ill inmates | Prison farms | Prison labor | Prisons |
Library Call Number: H.J. of Tex., 25th Leg., R.S. 741 (1897)
Session: 25th R.S. (1897)
Online version: View report [4 pages  File size: 209 kb]
Charge: This report should address the charge below.
1. Visit the State Penitentiaries and convict farms and make a report. *

* This represents an abstract of the report contents. Charge text is incomplete or unavailable.

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