88R8853 MZM-D
By: Eckhardt S.B. No. 1312
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to the establishment of a task force to study the impact of
the use of administrative segregation and disciplinary seclusion.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. DEFINITIONS. In this Act:
(1) "Disciplinary seclusion" means the separation of a
child from other children for disciplinary reasons and the
placement of the child alone in an area from which egress is
prevented for more than 90 minutes.
(2) "Juvenile facility" means a facility that serves
children under juvenile court jurisdiction and that is operated as
a pre-adjudication secure detention facility, a short-term
detention facility, or a post-adjudication secure correctional
facility.
SECTION 2. TASK FORCE TO STUDY ADMINISTRATIVE SEGREGATION
AND DISCIPLINARY SECLUSION. (a) A task force is established under
this section to study the short-term and long-term impacts of the
use of:
(1) administrative segregation on inmates confined in
facilities operated by or under contract with the Texas Department
of Criminal Justice; and
(2) disciplinary seclusion for children detained in or
committed to a juvenile facility.
(b) The task force is composed of 12 members appointed by
the governor, lieutenant governor, and speaker of the house of
representatives, each of whom shall appoint:
(1) one representative of the Texas Department of
Criminal Justice;
(2) one representative of the Texas Juvenile Justice
Department;
(3) one representative of a statewide organization
that advocates for the improvement of conditions in correctional
facilities or juvenile facilities; and
(4) one member who is a mental health professional.
(c) The Texas Department of Criminal Justice and Texas
Juvenile Justice Department shall provide access to facilities and
records and otherwise assist the task force in conducting the
study.
(d) Not later than December 1, 2024, the task force shall
prepare and submit a written report containing the results of the
study and any legislative recommendations to:
(1) the governor;
(2) the lieutenant governor;
(3) the speaker of the house of representatives;
(4) each standing committee of the legislature having
primary jurisdiction over the Texas Department of Criminal Justice
or Texas Juvenile Justice Department;
(5) the Texas Department of Criminal Justice; and
(6) the Texas Juvenile Justice Department.
(e) The task force is abolished and this Act expires
September 1, 2025.
SECTION 3. EFFECTIVE DATE. This Act takes effect September
1, 2023.