By: White (Senate Sponsor - West) H.B. No. 3116
(In the Senate - Received from the House April 23, 2019;
April 29, 2019, read first time and referred to Committee on
Criminal Justice; May 15, 2019, reported favorably by the
following vote: Yeas 6, Nays 0; May 15, 2019, sent to printer.)
Click here to see the committee vote
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to the establishment of a task force to conduct a
comprehensive study on best practice standards for the detention of
persons with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. (a) In this section, "task force" means the task
force on best practice standards for the detention of persons with
intellectual and developmental disabilities established under this
section.
(b) The task force is established to conduct a comprehensive
study on best practice standards for the detention of a person with
an intellectual or developmental disability. The study must
identify and make recommendations regarding the following with
respect to the detention of persons with intellectual and
developmental disabilities:
(1) current policies and procedures;
(2) barriers to accommodations and justice;
(3) best practices used in other states;
(4) policies that would improve jail standards; and
(5) any other issue the task force considers
appropriate.
(c) The Commission on Jail Standards shall appoint the
members of the task force. The task force must include at least:
(1) one representative of the Commission on Jail
Standards;
(2) one representative of a statewide organization
that advocates for individuals with intellectual and developmental
disabilities;
(3) one representative of a city or county
governmental agency that supports persons with intellectual and
developmental disabilities;
(4) one representative of a city or county
governmental agency that provides mental health services;
(5) one representative of a statewide organization
that represents municipalities;
(6) one representative of a statewide organization
that represents corrections professionals;
(7) one representative of a law enforcement entity;
and
(8) one representative of a county jail.
(d) The member appointed under Subsection (c)(1) of this
section serves as the presiding officer of the task force.
(e) The task force shall prepare a written report that
includes:
(1) a description of the activities of the task force;
(2) the findings and recommendations of the task
force;
(3) a plan for how the best practice standards
identified by the task force can be implemented statewide;
(4) any proposals for legislation; and
(5) any other matter the task force considers
appropriate.
(f) Not later than December 1, 2020, the task force shall
submit the report prepared under this section to:
(1) the governor;
(2) the lieutenant governor;
(3) the speaker of the house of representatives; and
(4) the presiding officers of the standing committees
of the senate and house of representatives having primary
jurisdiction over issues relating to criminal justice.
(g) The Commission on Jail Standards shall make the report
available to the public on the commission's Internet website.
(h) The task force is abolished and this Act expires
September 1, 2021.
SECTION 2. This Act takes effect September 1, 2019.
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