Texas House Bill HB1358

Texas 2019 - 86th Regular

Caption

Relating to grants for community supervision and corrections departments for supervision officer caseload management.

Impact

The implementation of HB1358 is expected to enhance the efficiency of community supervision by ensuring that supervision officers are not overwhelmed with excessively high caseloads. By considering the risk level of each offender when assigning cases, the bill seeks to align the caseload with the necessary attention each individual may require. This could lead to better rehabilitation outcomes for offenders and improve public safety overall, as supervision becomes more targeted and tailored.

Summary

House Bill 1358 aims to improve the management of supervision officer caseloads within community supervision and corrections departments across Texas. The bill proposes the establishment of grants that these departments can apply for, specifically designed to fund the assistance of licensed social workers. The social workers would support the departments in reviewing and revising their current caseload management policies, ensuring that they incorporate the risk levels of offenders into their determination of officer caseloads. This is intended to create a more effective and responsive supervisory system for offenders.

Contention

While HB1358 has received support for its focus on better management of officer workloads, there are points of contention regarding the funding and administration of the grants. Critics may question the sustainability of ongoing funding and the effectiveness of social workers in these roles compared to existing staff. Additionally, the implications for training and integration of social workers into existing systems can lead to concerns over operational disruption in departments already managing large caseloads.