84R11001 JRR-F
By: White of Tyler H.B. No. 2448
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to the creation of an advisory committee to examine the
state jail system within the Texas Department of Criminal Justice.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. DEFINITIONS. In this Act:
(1) "Department" means the Texas Department of
Criminal Justice.
(2) "State jail" means a state jail felony facility
operated by or under contract with the department under Section
507.001, Government Code.
SECTION 2. VOLUNTARY STATE JAIL ADVISORY COMMITTEE. Not
later than December 1, 2015, the department shall convene an
advisory committee composed of volunteers to review the problems
facing the state jail system and provide recommendations to guide
state criminal justice policies and practices relating to state
jails.
SECTION 3. MEMBERS; PRESIDING OFFICER. (a) In recruiting
volunteers to serve on the advisory committee, the department shall
include members who are interested parties, including:
(1) representatives of the department;
(2) representatives of community supervision and
corrections departments established under Chapter 76, Government
Code;
(3) district or county attorneys in this state;
(4) criminal defense attorneys;
(5) individuals who have expertise in the state jail
system and are members of an advocacy or civil rights organization;
(6) individuals who have expertise in issues related
to criminal justice and criminal law;
(7) individuals who have expertise in issues related
to substance abuse and mental health;
(8) individuals who were formerly incarcerated in the
state jail system; and
(9) any other individuals or organizations who may be
helpful in addressing the problems facing the state jail system.
(b) The advisory committee shall designate one of the
members as presiding officer of the committee.
SECTION 4. REPORT. (a) Not later than August 1, 2016, the
advisory committee shall submit to the department, including the
community justice assistance division of the department, the
governor, the lieutenant governor, the speaker of the house of
representatives, and the standing committees in the senate and
house of representatives primarily responsible for criminal
justice issues a report containing the recommendations developed
under Section 2 of this Act.
(b) The department shall make the report submitted under
Subsection (a) of this section available to the public and shall
publish the report on its Internet website.
SECTION 5. COMPENSATION. Members of the advisory committee
serve without compensation and are not entitled to reimbursement
for expenses.
SECTION 6. APPLICATION OF LAWS GOVERNING ADVISORY
COMMITTEES. The advisory committee is not subject to Chapter 2110,
Government Code.
SECTION 7. EXPIRATION DATE. The advisory committee is
abolished and this Act expires January 1, 2017.
SECTION 8. EFFECTIVE DATE. This Act takes effect
immediately if it receives a vote of two-thirds of all the members
elected to each house, as provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas
Constitution. If this Act does not receive the vote necessary for
immediate effect, this Act takes effect September 1, 2015.