88R11664 AMF-D By: Lopez of Bexar, Garcia H.B. No. 4283 A BILL TO BE ENTITLED AN ACT relating to a study on the recidivism rate of defendants who complete a veterans treatment court program. BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: SECTION 1. Chapter 124, Government Code, is amended by adding Section 124.008 to read as follows: Sec. 124.008. RECIDIVISM STUDY. (a) In this section, "council" means the Texas Judicial Council. (b) The council, in collaboration with the Texas Veterans Commission, shall conduct a study to evaluate the recidivism rate of defendants who successfully completed a veterans treatment court program in the preceding 10 years. The report must include: (1) the recidivism rate, calculated by determining from available information the percentage of defendants who have, since completing the program: (A) been arrested for an offense alleged to have been committed after the defendant completed the program; (B) been convicted of an offense committed after the defendant completed the program; (C) had a term of community supervision revoked due to a technical violation or commission of another offense committed after the defendant completed the program; and (D) had a term of parole or mandatory supervision revoked due to a technical violation or commission of another offense committed after the defendant completed the program; (2) any apparent patterns in the recidivism rate for defendants based on the available information; (3) a summary of any information the council determines is correlated with or otherwise relevant to the recidivism rate for defendants; and (4) recommendations for: (A) further action to improve outcomes for defendants in the program; and (B) program goals to reduce the recidivism rate of defendants. (c) The council may collaborate with any state or federal agency, county, or court as necessary to obtain the information described by Subsection (b). (d) Not later than January 1, 2025, the council shall prepare and submit to the governor and the legislature a written report containing the results of the study and any recommendations for legislative or other action. (e) This section expires September 1, 2025. SECTION 2. This Act takes effect September 1, 2023.