Texas 2025 - 89th Regular

Texas House Bill HB1515 Compare Versions

Only one version of the bill is available at this time.

Old	New	Differences
1	1	89R9898 BCH/JDK-D
2	2	By: Canales H.B. No. 1515
3	3
4	4
5	5
6	6
7	7	A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
8	8	AN ACT
9	9	relating to the continuation and functions of the Texas Board of
10	10	Criminal Justice and the Texas Department of Criminal Justice and
11	11	to the functions of the Board of Pardons and Paroles, the
12	12	Correctional Managed Health Care Committee, the Texas Correctional
13	13	Office on Offenders with Medical or Mental Impairments, and the
14	14	Windham School District.
15	15	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
16	16	SECTION 1. Section 19.003, Education Code, is amended to
17	17	read as follows:
18	18	Sec. 19.003. GOALS OF THE DISTRICT. The goals of the
19	19	district in educating its students are to:
20	20	(1) reduce recidivism;
21	21	(2) reduce the cost of confinement or imprisonment;
22	22	(3) increase the success of former students [inmates]
23	23	in obtaining and maintaining employment; and
24	24	(4) provide an incentive to students [inmates] to
25	25	behave in positive ways during confinement or imprisonment.
26	26	SECTION 2. Section 19.004(c), Education Code, is amended to
27	27	read as follows:
28	28	(c) The district shall:
29	29	(1) develop educational programs specifically
30	30	designed for persons eligible under Section 19.005 and ensure that
31	31	those programs, such as high school equivalency certificate [GED]
32	32	and English as a second language [ESL], are integrated with an
33	33	applied career and technical [vocational] context leading to
34	34	employment;
35	35	(2) [(1-a)] develop career and technical education
36	36	[vocational training] programs specifically designed for persons
37	37	eligible under Section 19.005 and prioritize the programs that
38	38	result in certification or licensure, considering the impact that a
39	39	previous felony conviction has on the ability to secure
40	40	certification, licensure, and employment;
41	41	(3) [(1-b)] continually assess job markets in this
42	42	state and update, augment, and expand the career and technical
43	43	education [vocational training] programs developed under
44	44	Subdivision (2) [(1-a)] as necessary to provide relevant and
45	45	marketable skills to students; and
46	46	(4) [(2)] coordinate educational programs and
47	47	services in the department with those provided by other state
48	48	agencies, by political subdivisions, and by persons who provide
49	49	programs and services under contract.
50	50	SECTION 3. Section 19.0041(a), Education Code, is amended
51	51	to read as follows:
52	52	(a) To evaluate the effectiveness of its programs, the
53	53	Windham School District shall compile and analyze information for
54	54	each of its programs, including performance-based information and
55	55	data related to academic, career and technical education
56	56	[vocational training], and life skills programs. This information
57	57	shall include for each person who participates in district programs
58	58	an evaluation of:
59	59	(1) institutional disciplinary violations;
60	60	(2) subsequent arrests;
61	61	(3) subsequent convictions or confinements;
62	62	(4) the cost of confinement;
63	63	(5) educational achievement;
64	64	(6) high school equivalency examination passage;
65	65	(7) the kind of training services provided;
66	66	(8) the kind of employment the person obtains on
67	67	release;
68	68	(9) whether the employment was related to training;
69	69	(10) the difference between the amount of the person's
70	70	earnings on the date employment is obtained following release and
71	71	the amount of those earnings on the first anniversary of that date;
72	72	and
73	73	(11) the retention factors associated with the
74	74	employment.
75	75	SECTION 4. Section 19.0042, Education Code, is amended to
76	76	read as follows:
77	77	Sec. 19.0042. INFORMATION TO BE PROVIDED BY DISTRICT BEFORE
78	78	CAREER AND TECHNICAL EDUCATION [VOCATIONAL TRAINING] PROGRAM
79	79	ENROLLMENT. Before a person described by Section 19.005 enrolls in
80	80	a district career and technical education [vocational training]
81	81	program, the district must inform the person in writing of:
82	82	(1) any rule or policy of a state agency that would
83	83	impose a restriction or prohibition on the person in obtaining a
84	84	certificate or license in connection with the career and technical
85	85	education [vocational training] program;
86	86	(2) the total number of district students released
87	87	during the preceding 10 years who have completed a district career
88	88	and technical education [vocational training] program that allows
89	89	for an opportunity to apply for a certificate or license from a
90	90	state agency and, of those students:
91	91	(A) the number who have applied for a certificate
92	92	or license from a state agency;
93	93	(B) the number who have been issued a certificate
94	94	or license by a state agency; and
95	95	(C) the number who have been denied a certificate
96	96	or license by a state agency; and
97	97	(3) the procedures for:
98	98	(A) requesting a criminal history evaluation
99	99	letter under Section 53.102, Occupations Code;
100	100	(B) providing evidence of fitness to perform the
101	101	duties and discharge the responsibilities of a licensed occupation
102	102	for purposes of Section 53.023, Occupations Code; and
103	103	(C) appealing a state agency's denial of a
104	104	certificate or license, including deadlines and due process
105	105	requirements:
106	106	(i) to the State Office of Administrative
107	107	Hearings under Subchapter C, Chapter 2001, Government Code; and
108	108	(ii) through any other available avenue.
109	109	SECTION 5. Section 19.010(a), Education Code, is amended to
110	110	read as follows:
111	111	(a) The district shall propose, and the board shall adopt
112	112	with any modification the board finds necessary, a strategic plan
113	113	that includes:
114	114	(1) a mission statement relating to the goals and
115	115	duties of the district under this chapter;
116	116	(2) goals to be met by the district in carrying out the
117	117	mission stated; and
118	118	(3) specific educational, career and technical
119	119	education [vocational training], and counseling programs to be
120	120	conducted by the district to meet the goals stated in the plan.
121	121	SECTION 6. Section 19.011, Education Code, is amended by
122	122	amending Subsection (b) and adding Subsection (c) to read as
123	123	follows:
124	124	(b) The district shall coordinate career and technical
125	125	[vocational] education and job training programs with a local
126	126	workforce development board authorized by the Texas Workforce
127	127	Commission to ensure that district students are equipped with the
128	128	skills necessary to compete for current and emerging jobs.
129	129	(c) The district may share data with the Texas Higher
130	130	Education Coordinating Board for the purpose of administering
131	131	postsecondary education programs within the department.
132	132	SECTION 7. Section 492.002(a), Government Code, is amended
133	133	to read as follows:
134	134	(a) The board is composed of nine members appointed by the
135	135	governor with the advice and consent of the senate. At least two
136	136	members must have significant business or corporate experience.
137	137	The governor may not appoint more than two members who reside in an
138	138	area encompassed by the same administrative judicial region, as
139	139	determined by Section 74.042.
140	140	SECTION 8. Section 492.0031, Government Code, is amended by
141	141	amending Subsection (b) and adding Subsection (d) to read as
142	142	follows:
143	143	(b) The training program must provide the person with
144	144	information regarding:
145	145	(1) the law governing [legislation that created the]
146	146	department operations [and the board];
147	147	(2) the programs, functions, rules, and budget of
148	148	[operated by] the department;
149	149	(3) the scope of and limitations on the rulemaking
150	150	authority [role and functions] of the board [department];
151	151	(4) [the rules of the department, with an emphasis on
152	152	the rules that relate to disciplinary and investigatory authority;
153	153	[(5) the current budget for the department;
154	154	[(6)] the results of the most recent formal audit of
155	155	the department;
156	156	(5) [(7)] the requirements of:
157	157	(A) the laws relating to open meetings, public
158	158	information, administrative procedure, and disclosing conflicts of
159	159	interest [law, Chapter 551]; and
160	160	(B) other laws applicable to members of a state
161	161	policy-making body in performing their duties [the public
162	162	information law, Chapter 552;
163	163	[(C) the administrative procedure law, Chapter
164	164	2001; and
165	165	[(D) other laws relating to public officials,
166	166	including conflict of interest laws]; and
167	167	(6) [(8)] any applicable ethics policies adopted by
168	168	the department or the Texas Ethics Commission.
169	169	(d) The executive director shall create a training manual
170	170	that includes the information required by Subsection (b). The
171	171	executive director shall distribute a copy of the training manual
172	172	annually to each member of the board. Each member of the board
173	173	shall sign and submit to the executive director a statement
174	174	acknowledging that the member received and has reviewed the
175	175	training manual.
176	176	SECTION 9. Section 492.012, Government Code, is amended to
177	177	read as follows:
178	178	Sec. 492.012. SUNSET PROVISION. The Texas Board of
179	179	Criminal Justice and the Texas Department of Criminal Justice are
180	180	subject to Chapter 325 (Texas Sunset Act). Unless continued in
181	181	existence as provided by that chapter, the board and the department
182	182	are abolished September 1, 2037 [2025].
183	183	SECTION 10. Chapter 493, Government Code, is amended by
184	184	adding Sections 493.0084 and 493.036 to read as follows:
185	185	Sec. 493.0084. INVENTORY AND EVALUATION OF ACTIVE PROGRAMS.
186	186	(a) The department shall develop and maintain a comprehensive
187	187	inventory of active programs offered in department facilities,
188	188	including peer-led programs and volunteer-led programs, that
189	189	includes the following information for each program:
190	190	(1) program goals;
191	191	(2) program capacity and enrollments; and
192	192	(3) facilities where the program is offered.
193	193	(b) The department shall make the inventory available to the
194	194	public on the department's Internet website and continuously update
195	195	the inventory.
196	196	(c) The department shall collect and analyze data for the
197	197	programs described by Subsection (a) to evaluate the effectiveness
198	198	of the programs and to improve program offerings.
199	199	(d) In carrying out the department's duties under
200	200	Subsection (c), the department shall:
201	201	(1) for programs claiming rehabilitative or reentry
202	202	effects:
203	203	(A) collect results-based performance data;
204	204	(B) work with qualified internal or external
205	205	researchers to develop criteria to evaluate the programs; and
206	206	(C) use the criteria developed under Paragraph
207	207	(B) to evaluate the programs, including the data described by
208	208	Paragraph (A);
209	209	(2) create a separate correctional elective programs
210	210	category for non-evidence-based and non-evidence-informed programs
211	211	and develop criteria to evaluate the programs;
212	212	(3) collect and analyze data for program participants
213	213	relating to:
214	214	(A) institutional disciplinary violations;
215	215	(B) subsequent arrests;
216	216	(C) subsequent convictions or confinements;
217	217	(D) employment obtained following release; and
218	218	(E) cost of confinement; and
219	219	(4) use the data described by Subdivision (3) to
220	220	produce and compare recidivism rates and other correctional impact
221	221	trends and to make changes to the programs as needed.
222	222	(e) The department may make structural or programmatic
223	223	adjustments to improve program performance in response to a program
224	224	evaluation under this section indicating poor program performance.
225	225	(f) Not later than December 1 of each even-numbered year,
226	226	the department shall submit a report on the department's analysis
227	227	of programs described by Subsection (a) to the board, the Board of
228	228	Pardons and Paroles, the governor, the lieutenant governor, the
229	229	speaker of the house of representatives, and each standing
230	230	committee of the legislature with primary jurisdiction over the
231	231	department.
232	232	(g) The department may enter into a memorandum of
233	233	understanding with other entities to obtain and share data
234	234	necessary to evaluate programs under this section.
235	235	Sec. 493.036. LONG-TERM FACILITIES AND STAFFING PLAN. (a)
236	236	The department shall prepare a 10-year plan that:
237	237	(1) identifies the department's facility and capacity
238	238	needs; and
239	239	(2) includes recommendations for how the state can
240	240	house inmates in facilities that are adequately staffed.
241	241	(b) The plan under Subsection (a) must:
242	242	(1) examine the department's ability to operate each
243	243	facility based on current and future staffing levels, including
244	244	cost to the department, with consideration of demographic and
245	245	economic trends and facility repair needs;
246	246	(2) evaluate how the department will distribute or
247	247	consolidate inmates efficiently based on capacity and factors such
248	248	as custody level, medical needs, and other special needs;
249	249	(3) evaluate any facility retrofitting necessary to
250	250	accommodate the needs of the department's inmate population;
251	251	(4) evaluate the construction necessary to increase
252	252	capacity to manage the department's projected inmate population,
253	253	including:
254	254	(A) the ways in which the construction can be
255	255	done in well-staffed areas of the state on existing department
256	256	property; and
257	257	(B) proposed timelines for the construction;
258	258	(5) include a phased implementation plan for closing
259	259	facilities with persistent staffing challenges; and
260	260	(6) include estimated savings from reduced
261	261	maintenance costs and any potential real property sales with
262	262	respect to facilities included in the phased implementation plan.
263	263	(c) In developing the plan under Subsection (a), the
264	264	department:
265	265	(1) must consider the various regional needs of the
266	266	state, including any ancillary or community benefits associated
267	267	with department facilities; and
268	268	(2) may contract with a third party as needed.
269	269	(d) In identifying potential facilities for closure as part
270	270	of the phased implementation plan described by Subsection (b)(5),
271	271	the department shall consider, at a minimum, the following factors
272	272	with respect to each facility:
273	273	(1) the department's ability to staff the facility and
274	274	the facility's operation and maintenance costs;
275	275	(2) vacancy rates;
276	276	(3) facility capacity;
277	277	(4) county-level demographic and economic data;
278	278	(5) deferred maintenance costs;
279	279	(6) receipt of correctional officers via staff
280	280	transport models;
281	281	(7) number of climate-controlled beds; and
282	282	(8) maximum security status.
283	283	(e) Not later than September 1, 2026, and every fourth
284	284	anniversary of that date, the department shall submit:
285	285	(1) the plan to the board for approval; and
286	286	(2) the approved plan to the governor, the lieutenant
287	287	governor, the speaker of the house of representatives, and each
288	288	standing legislative committee with jurisdiction over
289	289	appropriations or the department.
290	290	SECTION 11. Section 497.022, Government Code, is amended to
291	291	read as follows:
292	292	Sec. 497.022. CONTRACTS. The department may contract with:
293	293	(1) another state, the federal government, a foreign
294	294	government, or an agency of any of those governments to manufacture
295	295	for or sell to those governments prison-made articles or products;
296	296	(2) a private or independent institution of higher
297	297	education to manufacture for or sell to that school or institution
298	298	prison-made articles or products; or
299	299	(3) a private school or a [visually handicapped]
300	300	person with visual impairment in this state to manufacture Braille
301	301	textbooks or other instructional aids for the education of
302	302	[visually handicapped] persons with visual impairment.
303	303	SECTION 12. Section 499.101, Government Code, is amended to
304	304	read as follows:
305	305	Sec. 499.101. MAXIMUM CAPACITIES [EXISTING UNITS]. (a)
306	306	The board by rule shall establish maximum capacities for the units
307	307	in the institutional division. [are as follows:
308	308	[Beto I3,000
309	309	[Beto II888
310	310	[Boyd1,012
311	311	[Briscoe1,012
312	312	[Central720
313	313	[Clemens851
314	314	[Clements2,200
315	315	[Coffield3,000
316	316	[Daniel1,012
317	317	[Darrington1,610
318	318	[Diagnostic1,365
319	319	[Eastham2,050
320	320	[Ellis I1,900
321	321	[Ellis II2,260
322	322	[Ferguson2,100
323	323	[Gatesville1,571
324	324	[Goree1,058
325	325	[Hightower1,012
326	326	[Hilltop761
327	327	[Hobby1,012
328	328	[Hughes2,264
329	329	[Huntsville1,705
330	330	[Jester I323
331	331	[Jester II378
332	332	[Jester III908
333	333	[Lewis1,012
334	334	[McConnell2,264
335	335	[Michael2,264
336	336	[Mountain View718
337	337	[Pack I864
338	338	[Pack II1,088
339	339	[Panpa1,012
340	340	[Ramsey I1,400
341	341	[Ramsey II850
342	342	[Ramsey III1,000
343	343	[Retrieve770
344	344	[Roach1,012
345	345	[Robertson2,264
346	346	[Smith1,012
347	347	[Stiles2,264
348	348	[Terrell2,264
349	349	[Torres1,012
350	350	[Wynne2,300]
351	351	(b) It is the intent of the legislature that as case law
352	352	evolves and indicates that maximum capacities for units in the
353	353	institutional division [established under Subsection (a)] may be
354	354	increased, the staff of the institutional division shall use the
355	355	procedures established by this subchapter to increase those
356	356	capacities. There shall be no cause of action against the
357	357	institutional division for failure to take action under this
358	358	subsection.
359	359	SECTION 13. Section 499.102(a), Government Code, is amended
360	360	to read as follows:
361	361	(a) The staff of the institutional division, on its own
362	362	initiative or as directed by the governor or the board, may
363	363	recommend to the administration of the institutional division that
364	364	the maximum capacity [established under Section 499.101] for a unit
365	365	be increased if the staff determines through written findings that
366	366	the division can increase the maximum capacity and provide:
367	367	(1) proper inmate classification and housing within
368	368	the unit that is consistent with the classification system;
369	369	(2) housing flexibility to allow necessary repairs and
370	370	routine and preventive maintenance to be performed without
371	371	compromising the classification system;
372	372	(3) adequate space in dayrooms;
373	373	(4) all meals within a reasonable time, allowing each
374	374	inmate a reasonable time within which to eat;
375	375	(5) operable hygiene facilities that ensure the
376	376	availability of a sufficient number of fixtures to serve the inmate
377	377	population;
378	378	(6) adequate laundry services;
379	379	(7) sufficient staff to:
380	380	(A) meet operational and security needs;
381	381	(B) meet health care needs, including the needs
382	382	of inmates requiring psychiatric care, inmates with an intellectual
383	383	disability, and inmates with a physical disability;
384	384	(C) provide a safe environment for inmates and
385	385	staff; and
386	386	(D) provide adequate internal affairs
387	387	investigation and review;
388	388	(8) medical, dental, and psychiatric care adequate to
389	389	ensure:
390	390	(A) minimal delays in delivery of service from
391	391	the time sick call requests are made until the service is performed;
392	392	(B) access to regional medical facilities;
393	393	(C) access to the institutional division
394	394	hospital at Galveston or contract facilities performing the same
395	395	services;
396	396	(D) access to specialty clinics; and
397	397	(E) a sufficient number of psychiatric inpatient
398	398	beds and sheltered beds for inmates with an intellectual
399	399	disability;
400	400	(9) a fair disciplinary system that ensures due
401	401	process and is adequate to ensure safety and order in the unit;
402	402	(10) work, vocational, academic, and on-the-job
403	403	training programs that afford all eligible inmates with an
404	404	opportunity to learn job skills or work habits that can be applied
405	405	on release, appropriately staffed and of sufficient quality;
406	406	(11) a sufficient number and quality of
407	407	nonprogrammatic and recreational activities for all eligible
408	408	inmates who choose to participate;
409	409	(12) adequate assistance from persons trained in the
410	410	law or a law library with a collection containing necessary
411	411	materials and space adequate for inmates to use the law library for
412	412	study related to legal matters;
413	413	(13) adequate space and staffing to permit contact and
414	414	noncontact visitation of all eligible inmates;
415	415	(14) adequate maintenance programs to repair and
416	416	prevent breakdowns caused by increased use of facilities and
417	417	fixtures; and
418	418	(15) space and staff sufficient to provide all the
419	419	services and facilities required by this section.
420	420	SECTION 14. Subchapter F, Chapter 499, Government Code, is
421	421	amended by adding Section 499.1214 to read as follows:
422	422	Sec. 499.1214. PEN PACKET SUBMISSION TRAINING. The
423	423	department shall develop and provide annual training for county
424	424	employees on the submission of documents required before the
425	425	department takes custody of a person being transferred from a
426	426	county jail to the department, including documents required under
427	427	Sections 8(a) and (c), Article 42.09, Code of Criminal Procedure.
428	428	SECTION 15. Section 501.009, Government Code, is amended to
429	429	read as follows:
430	430	Sec. 501.009. VOLUNTEER AND FAITH-BASED ORGANIZATIONS[;
431	431	REPORT]. (a) The department shall adopt a policy that requires
432	432	department staff responsible for rehabilitation and reentry
433	433	programs and services [each warden] to identify volunteer and
434	434	faith-based organizations that provide programs for inmates housed
435	435	in facilities operated by the department. The policy must require
436	436	the staff [each warden] to actively encourage volunteer and
437	437	faith-based organizations to provide the following programs for
438	438	inmates in department facilities [the warden's facility]:
439	439	(1) literacy and education programs;
440	440	(2) life skills programs;
441	441	(3) job skills programs;
442	442	(4) parent-training programs;
443	443	(5) drug and alcohol rehabilitation programs;
444	444	(6) support group programs;
445	445	(7) arts and crafts programs; and
446	446	(8) other programs determined by the department to aid
447	447	inmates in the transition between confinement and society and to
448	448	reduce incidence of recidivism among inmates.
449	449	(b) The policy must require the staff described by
450	450	Subsection (a) to solicit feedback from the warden and chaplains of
451	451	each facility on the facility's needs regarding volunteer and
452	452	faith-based organization provided programs.
453	453	(c) The department shall include in the annual report
454	454	required under Section 493.0084(f) [that each warden submit a
455	455	report to the board not later than December 31 of each year that
456	456	includes, for the preceding fiscal year,] a summary of:
457	457	(1) the programs provided to inmates under this
458	458	section; and
459	459	(2) the actions taken [by the warden] to identify
460	460	volunteer and faith-based organizations willing to provide
461	461	programs to inmates and to encourage those organizations to provide
462	462	programs in the department facilities [warden's facility].
463	463	SECTION 16. Section 501.017(b), Government Code, is amended
464	464	to read as follows:
465	465	(b) The department may not enforce a claim or lien
466	466	established under this section if the inmate has a surviving spouse
467	467	or a surviving dependent or child with a disability [disabled
468	468	child].
469	469	SECTION 17. Section 501.054(h), Government Code, is amended
470	470	to read as follows:
471	471	(h) The department shall report to the legislature not later
472	472	than December 1 [January 15] of each even-numbered [odd-numbered]
473	473	year concerning the implementation of this section and the
474	474	participation of inmates and employees of the department in
475	475	education programs established under this section.
476	476	SECTION 18. Sections 501.057(a) and (b), Government Code,
477	477	are amended to read as follows:
478	478	(a) The department shall establish a system to identify
479	479	[mentally ill] inmates with mental illness who are nearing
480	480	eligibility for release on parole.
481	481	(b) Not later than the 30th day before the initial parole
482	482	eligibility date of an inmate identified as having a mental illness
483	483	[mentally ill], an institutional division psychiatrist shall
484	484	examine the inmate. The psychiatrist shall file a sworn
485	485	application for court-ordered temporary mental health services
486	486	under Chapter 574, Health and Safety Code, if the psychiatrist
487	487	determines that the inmate has a mental illness [is mentally ill]
488	488	and as a result of the illness the inmate meets at least one of the
489	489	criteria listed in Section 574.034 or 574.0345, Health and Safety
490	490	Code.
491	491	SECTION 19. The heading to Section 501.069, Government
492	492	Code, is amended to read as follows:
493	493	Sec. 501.069. OFFENDERS WITH INTELLECTUAL OR DEVELOPMENTAL
494	494	DISABILITIES [DEVELOPMENTALLY DISABLED OFFENDER] PROGRAM.
495	495	SECTION 20. Section 501.092(i), Government Code, is amended
496	496	to read as follows:
497	497	(i) Not later than December [September] 1 of each
498	498	even-numbered year, the department shall deliver a report of the
499	499	results of evaluations conducted under Subsection (b)(7) to the
500	500	lieutenant governor, the speaker of the house of representatives,
501	501	and each standing committee of the senate and house of
502	502	representatives having primary jurisdiction over the department.
503	503	SECTION 21. Subchapter C, Chapter 501, Government Code, is
504	504	amended by adding Section 501.104 to read as follows:
505	505	Sec. 501.104. STRATEGIC PLAN FOR REHABILITATION AND REENTRY
506	506	PROGRAMS. (a) In this section, "parole-voted program" has the
507	507	meaning assigned by Section 508.1521.
508	508	(b) The department and the Windham School District shall
509	509	jointly develop a strategic plan for the provision of
510	510	rehabilitation and reentry programs to inmates. The strategic plan
511	511	must include program objectives and timelines intended to:
512	512	(1) increase program efficiencies, including
513	513	eliminating delays in placing inmates into parole-voted programs;
514	514	(2) reduce program redundancies;
515	515	(3) incorporate new evidence-based and
516	516	evidence-informed program approaches; and
517	517	(4) incorporate technology-based solutions.
518	518	(b-1) The strategic plan must include clear steps and
519	519	timelines to reduce, by September 1, 2027, overall parole-voted
520	520	program placement timelines by at least 50 percent compared to the
521	521	timelines on August 31, 2023. This subsection expires December 31,
522	522	2027.
523	523	(c) In developing the strategic plan, the department shall
524	524	evaluate therapeutic service contracts and obligations and
525	525	renegotiate the contracts and obligations as necessary to meet
526	526	current and projected program needs.
527	527	(d) The department and the Windham School District shall
528	528	jointly update the strategic plan at least once every five years.
529	529	(e) Not later than December 1 of each even-numbered year,
530	530	the department and the Windham School District shall submit a joint
531	531	report on the implementation of the strategic plan to the board, the
532	532	Board of Pardons and Paroles, the governor, the lieutenant
533	533	governor, the speaker of the house of representatives, and each
534	534	standing committee of the legislature with primary jurisdiction
535	535	over the department.
536	536	(f) In preparing the report under Subsection (e), the
537	537	department and the Windham School District shall consider the most
538	538	recent report prepared under Section 501.103.
539	539	SECTION 22. Section 501.138(c), Government Code, is amended
540	540	to read as follows:
541	541	(c) If the executive director [managed health care
542	542	administrator] has knowledge that a potential ground for removal
543	543	exists, the executive director [administrator] shall notify the
544	544	presiding officer of the committee of the potential ground. The
545	545	presiding officer shall then notify the governor and the attorney
546	546	general that a potential ground for removal exists. If the
547	547	potential ground for removal involves the presiding officer, the
548	548	executive director [managed health care administrator] shall
549	549	notify the next highest ranking officer of the committee, who shall
550	550	then notify the governor and the attorney general that a potential
551	551	ground for removal exists.
552	552	SECTION 23. Section 501.140, Government Code, is amended by
553	553	amending Subsection (b) and adding Subsection (d) to read as
554	554	follows:
555	555	(b) The training program must provide the person with
556	556	information regarding:
557	557	(1) the law governing committee [legislation that
558	558	created the committee] operations;
559	559	(2) the programs, functions, rules, and budget of
560	560	[operated by] the committee;
561	561	(3) the scope of and limitations on the rulemaking
562	562	authority [role and functions] of the committee;
563	563	(4) [the rules of the committee with an emphasis on the
564	564	rules that relate to disciplinary and investigatory authority;
565	565	[(5) the current budget for the committee;
566	566	[(6)] the results of the most recent formal audit of
567	567	the committee;
568	568	(5) [(7)] the requirements of:
569	569	(A) laws relating to [the] open meetings, public
570	570	information, administrative procedure, and disclosing conflicts of
571	571	interest [law, Chapter 551]; and
572	572	(B) other laws applicable to members of a state
573	573	policy-making body in performing their duties [the public
574	574	information law, Chapter 552;
575	575	[(C) the administrative procedure law, Chapter
576	576	2001; and
577	577	[(D) other laws relating to public officials,
578	578	including conflict-of-interest laws]; and
579	579	(6) [(8)] any applicable ethics policies adopted by
580	580	the department [committee] or the Texas Ethics Commission.
581	581	(d) The executive director shall create a training manual
582	582	that includes the information required by Subsection (b). The
583	583	executive director shall distribute a copy of the training manual
584	584	annually to each member of the committee. Each member of the
585	585	committee shall sign and submit to the executive director a
586	586	statement acknowledging that the member received and has reviewed
587	587	the training manual.
588	588	SECTION 24. Section 508.036, Government Code, is amended by
589	589	adding Subsection (a-1) to read as follows:
590	590	(a-1) A report under Subsection (a)(5) must include:
591	591	(1) the following information with respect to the
592	592	release of inmates on medically recommended intensive supervision
593	593	under Section 508.146 for the preceding 10-year period:
594	594	(A) the number of inmates released on medically
595	595	recommended intensive supervision;
596	596	(B) an explanation of any trends;
597	597	(C) release revocation rates;
598	598	(D) types of modifications of conditions of
599	599	release or graduated sanctions imposed; and
600	600	(E) the approval rate of inmates reviewed by a
601	601	parole panel described by Section 508.146(e) for release on
602	602	medically recommended intensive supervision;
603	603	(2) an evaluation of the consistency with which
604	604	graduated sanctions are imposed for releasees or release on parole
605	605	or mandatory supervision is revoked;
606	606	(3) an evaluation of the consistency with which
607	607	special conditions are imposed under Subchapter I; and
608	608	(4) the rates of consensus between voting outcomes and
609	609	hearing officer recommendations and between voting outcomes and
610	610	other recommendations made by an employee authorized to make
611	611	recommendations for special conditions and graduated sanctions.
612	612	SECTION 25. Section 508.0362, Government Code, is amended
613	613	by amending Subsections (a) and (b) and adding Subsection (d) to
614	614	read as follows:
615	615	(a) [(1)] A person who is appointed to and qualifies for
616	616	office as a member of the board may not vote, deliberate, or be
617	617	counted as a member in attendance at a meeting of the board until
618	618	the person completes [at least one course of] a training program
619	619	that complies with this section.
620	620	[(2)] A parole commissioner employed by the board may
621	621	not vote or deliberate on a matter described by Section 508.0441
622	622	until the person completes [at least one course of] a training
623	623	program that complies with this section.
624	624	(b) The [A] training program must provide the person with
625	625	information [to the person] regarding:
626	626	(1) the law governing board operations [enabling
627	627	legislation that created the board];
628	628	(2) the programs, functions, rules, and budget of
629	629	[operated by] the board;
630	630	(3) the scope of and limitations on the rulemaking
631	631	authority [role and functions] of the board [and parole
632	632	commissioners];
633	633	(4) [the rules of the board;
634	634	[(5) the current budget for the board;
635	635	[(6)] the results of the most recent formal audit of
636	636	the board;
637	637	(5) [(7)] the requirements of [the]:
638	638	(A) laws relating to open meetings, public
639	639	information, administrative procedure, and disclosing conflicts of
640	640	interest [law, Chapter 551]; and
641	641	(B) other laws applicable to members of a state
642	642	policy-making body in performing their duties [open records law,
643	643	Chapter 552; and
644	644	[(C) administrative procedure law, Chapter 2001;
645	645	[(8) the requirements of the conflict of interest laws
646	646	and other laws relating to public officials]; and
647	647	(6) [(9)] any applicable ethics policies adopted by
648	648	the board or the Texas Ethics Commission.
649	649	(d) The board administrator shall create a training manual
650	650	that includes the information required by Subsection (b). The
651	651	board administrator shall distribute a copy of the training manual
652	652	annually to each board member and parole commissioner. Each board
653	653	member and parole commissioner shall sign and submit to the board
654	654	administrator a statement acknowledging that the person received
655	655	and has reviewed the training manual.
656	656	SECTION 26. Subchapter B, Chapter 508, Government Code, is
657	657	amended by adding Sections 508.0421 and 508.0455 to read as
658	658	follows:
659	659	Sec. 508.0421. TRAINING PROGRAM ON MEDICALLY RECOMMENDED
660	660	INTENSIVE SUPERVISION. (a) The board shall develop and provide a
661	661	comprehensive training program on the release of inmates on
662	662	medically recommended intensive supervision under Section 508.146
663	663	for board members and parole commissioners serving on a parole
664	664	panel under that section. The program must include:
665	665	(1) background information on medically recommended
666	666	intensive supervision; and
667	667	(2) training and education regarding:
668	668	(A) statutory requirements and board rules for
669	669	the consideration and release of inmates on medically recommended
670	670	intensive supervision;
671	671	(B) the supervision of persons released on
672	672	medically recommended intensive supervision, including information
673	673	on:
674	674	(i) the imposition of graduated sanctions
675	675	on a releasee for a violation of a condition of release; and
676	676	(ii) the imposition and modification of
677	677	special conditions on a releasee; and
678	678	(C) the medical conditions affecting inmates who
679	679	are eligible for medically recommended intensive supervision,
680	680	including treatments for those conditions.
681	681	(b) In developing the training program, the board shall:
682	682	(1) use available data on medically recommended
683	683	intensive supervision; and
684	684	(2) consult with the division and a practicing
685	685	physician and psychiatrist as needed.
686	686	(c) The board shall develop a condensed version of the
687	687	training program that includes only the training and education
688	688	described by Subsection (a)(2).
689	689	(d) A member of a parole panel described by Section
690	690	508.146(e) may not participate in a vote of the panel related to the
691	691	release of an inmate on medically recommended intensive supervision
692	692	until the member completes the training program described by
693	693	Subsection (a). Each member must complete the version of the
694	694	training program described by Subsection (c) biennially after
695	695	completing the initial training to remain eligible to participate
696	696	in a vote of the panel related to the release of an inmate on
697	697	medically recommended intensive supervision. The board shall
698	698	inform each member of any subsequent changes to the training
699	699	developed under Subsection (a) that are made after the member
700	700	completes the training required by this subsection.
701	701	Sec. 508.0455. PAROLE PANEL DATA. (a) The board shall
702	702	coordinate with the department to collect and analyze data on the
703	703	release of inmates on parole, mandatory supervision, or medically
704	704	recommended intensive supervision and the use of special conditions
705	705	and graduated sanctions to evaluate outcomes and trends.
706	706	(b) Using the data collected under Subsection (a), the board
707	707	shall determine a method for evaluating the consistency of
708	708	revocation decisions across all three-voter parole panels.
709	709	(c) The board shall use its findings from the data collected
710	710	under this section and the information described by Sections
711	711	508.036(a-1) and 508.1445(b) in developing the training required
712	712	under Sections 508.041 and 508.042.
713	713	SECTION 27. Section 508.054(c), Government Code, is amended
714	714	to read as follows:
715	715	(c) The board shall periodically notify the complaint
716	716	parties of the status of the complaint until final disposition
717	717	unless the notice would jeopardize an ongoing investigation.
718	718	SECTION 28. Section 508.1131, Government Code, is amended
719	719	by amending Subsection (a) and adding Subsection (a-1) to read as
720	720	follows:
721	721	(a) The Texas Board of Criminal Justice by rule [executive
722	722	director] shall adopt a salary career ladder for parole officers.
723	723	In adopting the salary career ladder, the Texas Board of Criminal
724	724	Justice shall, in consultation with relevant stakeholders, review
725	725	the current salary structure and align the salary career ladder
726	726	with the future needs of the department.
727	727	(a-1) The Texas Board of Criminal Justice may revise the
728	728	[The] salary career ladder as needed [must base a parole officer's
729	729	salary on the officer's classification and years of service with
730	730	the department].
731	731	SECTION 29. Section 508.1142, Government Code, is amended
732	732	to read as follows:
733	733	Sec. 508.1142. PAROLE OFFICER MAXIMUM CASELOADS. (a) The
734	734	Texas Board of Criminal Justice by rule [department] shall
735	735	establish [adopt a policy that establishes] guidelines for a
736	736	maximum caseload for a [each] parole officer [of:
737	737	[(1) 60 active releasees, if the releasees are not in a
738	738	specialized program described by Subdivisions (2)-(6);
739	739	[(2) 35 active releasees, if the releasees are in the
740	740	special needs offender program;
741	741	[(3) 35 active releasees, if the releasees are in the
742	742	therapeutic community substance abuse aftercare treatment program;
743	743	[(4) 24 active releasees, if the releasees are in the
744	744	sex offender program;
745	745	[(5) 20 active releasees, if the releasees are
746	746	electronically monitored; and
747	747	[(6) 11 active releasees, if the releasees are in the
748	748	super-intensive supervision program].
749	749	(b) The Texas Board of Criminal Justice:
750	750	(1) shall periodically review the guidelines
751	751	established under Subsection (a) to ensure that the guidelines are
752	752	achievable and informed by research-supported supervision
753	753	practices; and
754	754	(2) may revise the guidelines as needed.
755	755	(c) The department shall conduct a job task analysis and
756	756	workload study with respect to parole officers before the Texas
757	757	Board of Criminal Justice adopts or amends the guidelines under
758	758	this section [If the department is unable to meet the maximum
759	759	caseload guidelines, the department shall submit a report to the
760	760	Legislative Budget Board, at the end of each fiscal year in which
761	761	the department fails to meet the guidelines, stating the amount of
762	762	money needed by the department to meet the guidelines].
763	763	SECTION 30. Subchapter D, Chapter 508, Government Code, is
764	764	amended by adding Sections 508.1143 and 508.120 to read as follows:
765	765	Sec. 508.1143. REPORT ON PAROLE SUPERVISION APPROACHES AND
766	766	MAXIMUM CASELOADS. (a) Not later than September 1, 2026, the
767	767	department, in consultation with relevant stakeholders, shall:
768	768	(1) review current parole supervision practices and
769	769	caseload approaches; and
770	770	(2) submit a report on proposed parole supervision
771	771	practices and caseload approaches, including proposed maximum
772	772	caseloads for parole officers, to the Texas Board of Criminal
773	773	Justice, the board, the governor, the lieutenant governor, the
774	774	speaker of the house of representatives, and each standing
775	775	committee of the legislature with primary jurisdiction over the
776	776	department.
777	777	(b) The report must include:
778	778	(1) an evaluation of the current caseload identified
779	779	as not being actively worked on by a parole officer, considering the
780	780	assessed parole officer staffing needs; and
781	781	(2) the results of any department pilot project
782	782	assessing changes to parole officer supervision practices and
783	783	caseload approaches.
784	784	(c) A pilot project assessing supervision practices and
785	785	caseload approach changes described by Subsection (b)(2) may not be
786	786	implemented statewide before submission of the report required by
787	787	Subsection (a)(2).
788	788	(d) This section expires September 1, 2027.
789	789	Sec. 508.120. PROHIBITION ON CERTAIN DIVISION ACTIONS
790	790	INVOLVING SPECIAL CONDITIONS. The division may not:
791	791	(1) make recommendations regarding the imposition of a
792	792	special condition before an inmate is released on parole or to
793	793	mandatory supervision; or
794	794	(2) review the voting decisions of a parole panel with
795	795	respect to the imposition of a special condition.
796	796	SECTION 31. Section 508.1445(b), Government Code, is
797	797	amended to read as follows:
798	798	(b) The report must include:
799	799	(1) a brief explanation of the parole guidelines,
800	800	including how the board:
801	801	(A) defines the risk factors and offense severity
802	802	levels; and
803	803	(B) determines the range of recommended parole
804	804	approval rates for each guideline score;
805	805	(2) a comparison of the range of recommended parole
806	806	approval rates under the parole guidelines to the actual approval
807	807	rates for individual parole panel members, each regional
808	808	three-voter parole panel [offices], and the state as a whole; [and]
809	809	(3) a description of instances in which the actual
810	810	parole approval rates, including rates for each regional
811	811	three-voter parole panel, do not meet the range of recommended
812	812	parole approval rates under the parole guidelines, an explanation
813	813	of the variations, and a list of actions that the board has taken or
814	814	will take to meet the guidelines; and
815	815	(4) information regarding the rates at which each
816	816	regional three-voter parole panel imposes each special condition
817	817	when approving release on parole and an explanation for any
818	818	significant variations among the panels.
819	819	SECTION 32. Section 508.146, Government Code, is amended by
820	820	adding Subsections (g), (h), (i), and (j) to read as follows:
821	821	(g) The board shall adopt rules to administer this section.
822	822	The rules must:
823	823	(1) specify the procedures for evaluating the
824	824	prognosis of inmates who are eligible for medically recommended
825	825	intensive supervision under Subsection (a) because of a qualifying
826	826	medical condition;
827	827	(2) specify the factors, other than an inmate's
828	828	condition, that are relevant or statutorily required to release an
829	829	inmate on medically recommended intensive supervision; and
830	830	(3) define what constitutes a threat to public safety
831	831	for purposes of Subsections (a)(2) and (f) and specify the factors
832	832	that a parole panel described by Subsection (e) must consider when
833	833	determining whether an inmate constitutes a threat to public
834	834	safety.
835	835	(h) The procedures described by Subsection (g)(1) must:
836	836	(1) require a review of the inmate's condition by at
837	837	least one health care practitioner; and
838	838	(2) require each health care practitioner who reviews
839	839	an inmate's condition as described by Subdivision (1) to provide
840	840	the parole panel described by Subsection (e), before the panel
841	841	makes a final determination under this section, a written report on
842	842	the inmate's condition that:
843	843	(A) is in plain language that is understandable
844	844	by a nonmedical professional;
845	845	(B) specifically describes how the inmate's
846	846	condition and treatment for the condition will affect the inmate's
847	847	cognitive and physical abilities and limitations; and
848	848	(C) contains other information as required by the
849	849	board.
850	850	(i) The board may consult with other relevant entities for
851	851	purposes of establishing information required in the report under
852	852	Subsection (h)(2)(C) including:
853	853	(1) the Correctional Managed Health Care Committee;
854	854	(2) the division;
855	855	(3) the Texas Correctional Office on Offenders with
856	856	Medical or Mental Impairments;
857	857	(4) the Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center;
858	858	and
859	859	(5) The University of Texas Medical Branch at
860	860	Galveston.
861	861	(j) Information regarding the identity of a health care
862	862	practitioner providing a report described by Subsection (h)(2),
863	863	other than information relating to the practitioner's
864	864	specialization, is excepted from required disclosure under Chapter
865	865	552. The board may release the information or redact or otherwise
866	866	withhold the information from disclosure under Chapter 552.
867	867	SECTION 33. Section 508.152, Government Code, is amended by
868	868	adding Subsection (b-3) to read as follows:
869	869	(b-3) For purposes of Subsection (b-1)(1), an inmate's
870	870	individual treatment plan must include a comprehensive list, in
871	871	plain language, of the inmate's program participation that:
872	872	(1) includes:
873	873	(A) state-funded programs;
874	874	(B) intensive volunteer programs; and
875	875	(C) program enrollment and completion dates; and
876	876	(2) distinguishes between required evidence-based
877	877	programs and correctional elective programs that are non-evidence
878	878	based or non-evidence informed.
879	879	SECTION 34. Subchapter E, Chapter 508, Government Code, is
880	880	amended by adding Sections 508.1521 and 508.158 to read as follows:
881	881	Sec. 508.1521. REQUIRED INDIVIDUAL TREATMENT PLAN PROGRAMS
882	882	AND PAROLE-VOTED PROGRAMS. (a) In this section:
883	883	(1) "Parole-voted program" means a program or class
884	884	that the board intends to require an inmate to complete before
885	885	releasing the inmate on parole or to mandatory supervision.
886	886	(2) "Required individual treatment plan program"
887	887	means a program or class that is required in an inmate's individual
888	888	treatment plan under Section 508.152 other than a parole-voted
889	889	program.
890	890	(b) The department, the board, and the Windham School
891	891	District shall:
892	892	(1) develop evidence-based program criteria specific
893	893	to required individual treatment plan programs and parole-voted
894	894	programs to be used in evaluating and assessing those programs;
895	895	(2) develop and maintain a required individual
896	896	treatment plan programs list and a parole-voted programs list,
897	897	provided that a non-evidence-based or non-evidence-informed
898	898	program may not be included on either list;
899	899	(3) develop procedures for:
900	900	(A) evaluating programs to be added to the
901	901	required individual treatment plan programs list or the
902	902	parole-voted programs list;
903	903	(B) assessing current required individual
904	904	treatment plan programs and parole-voted programs; and
905	905	(C) removing programs that do not meet the
906	906	criteria developed under Subdivision (1) from the lists of required
907	907	individual treatment plan programs and parole-voted programs; and
908	908	(4) coordinate on required individual treatment plan
909	909	and parole-voted programming options through regular meetings.
910	910	(c) In developing and maintaining the required individual
911	911	treatment plan programs list, the department and the Windham School
912	912	District have joint authority to decide which programs are included
913	913	on the required individual treatment plan list.
914	914	(d) In developing and maintaining the parole-voted programs
915	915	list, the department and the Windham School District shall present
916	916	programming options and program evaluation results to the board,
917	917	provided that the board has the sole authority to decide which
918	918	programs are included on the parole-voted programs list.
919	919	(e) The department shall:
920	920	(1) collect and analyze parole-voted program data on a
921	921	rolling basis, including:
922	922	(A) the number of inmates waiting for placement
923	923	into a program;
924	924	(B) the waitlist times for placement into a
925	925	program;
926	926	(C) the reasons for program placement delays,
927	927	other than delays due to a program start date specified by the
928	928	board;
929	929	(D) vote revision requests related to program
930	930	ineligibility, placement delays, and other factors that may affect
931	931	parole release timelines; and
932	932	(E) the number of inmates unable to complete
933	933	parole-voted programs before the earliest date on which the inmates
934	934	would have been eligible to be released following program
935	935	completion;
936	936	(2) use the data described by Subdivision (1) to:
937	937	(A) calculate parole-voted program waitlist
938	938	times;
939	939	(B) track and reduce parole-voted program
940	940	enrollment timelines; and
941	941	(C) work to eliminate parole-voted program
942	942	placement delays; and
943	943	(3) include the data and analysis described by
944	944	Subdivision (1) in the strategic plan required under Section
945	945	501.104.
946	946	(f) The department shall prioritize the placement of
947	947	inmates into parole-voted programs, ensure parole-voted program
948	948	capacity meets programming needs, and expand parole-voted program
949	949	access in accordance with the strategic plan required under Section
950	950	501.104.
951	951	Sec. 508.158. SPECIAL CONDITIONS WORK GROUP. (a) The board
952	952	and department shall jointly establish a work group consisting of
953	953	board members and parole commissioners who actively serve on a
954	954	parole panel and staff representatives from the division to assess
955	955	the impact and effectiveness of special conditions.
956	956	(b) The work group shall:
957	957	(1) discuss the efficacy of special conditions;
958	958	(2) assess the continuing need for the use of specific
959	959	special conditions; and
960	960	(3) identify potential modifications to special
961	961	conditions for the board to consider adopting.
962	962	(c) In discussing the efficacy of special conditions under
963	963	Subsection (b), the work group shall solicit input from parole
964	964	officers and other relevant parties.
965	965	(d) The work group shall meet annually.
966	966	SECTION 35. Section 614.009, Health and Safety Code, is
967	967	amended to read as follows:
968	968	Sec. 614.009. BIENNIAL REPORT. Not later than December
969	969	[February] 1 of each even-numbered [odd-numbered] year, the office
970	970	shall present to the board and file with the governor, lieutenant
971	971	governor, and speaker of the house of representatives a report
972	972	giving the details of the office's activities during the preceding
973	973	biennium. The report must include:
974	974	(1) an evaluation of any demonstration project
975	975	undertaken by the office;
976	976	(2) an evaluation of the progress made by the office
977	977	toward developing a plan for meeting the treatment, rehabilitative,
978	978	and educational needs of offenders with special needs;
979	979	(3) information on the provision of services under
980	980	Section 614.021 to wrongfully imprisoned persons;
981	981	(4) recommendations of the office made in accordance
982	982	with Section 614.007(5);
983	983	(5) [(4)] an evaluation of the development and
984	984	implementation of the continuity of care and service programs
985	985	established under Sections 614.013, 614.014, 614.015, 614.016, and
986	986	614.018, changes in rules, policies, or procedures relating to the
987	987	programs, future plans for the programs, and any recommendations
988	988	for legislation; and
989	989	(6) [(5)] any other recommendations that the office
990	990	considers appropriate.
991	991	SECTION 36. The following provisions are repealed:
992	992	(1) Section 494.011, Government Code;
993	993	(2) Section 497.111, Government Code;
994	994	(3) Section 501.062(c), Government Code;
995	995	(4) Section 507.003, Government Code;
996	996	(5) Section 507.004, Government Code;
997	997	(6) Sections 508.1131(b) and (c), Government Code; and
998	998	(7) Section 614.021(c), Health and Safety Code.
999	999	SECTION 37. The change in law made by this Act to Section
1000	1000	492.002, Government Code, does not affect the entitlement of a
1001	1001	member serving on the Texas Board of Criminal Justice before the
1002	1002	effective date of this Act to continue to serve for the remainder of
1003	1003	the member's term. As the terms of members expire, the governor
1004	1004	shall appoint or reappoint members who have the qualifications
1005	1005	required by Section 492.002(a), Government Code, as amended by this
1006	1006	Act.
1007	1007	SECTION 38. (a) Sections 492.0031, 501.140, and 508.0362,
1008	1008	Government Code, as amended by this Act, apply to a member of the
1009	1009	Texas Board of Criminal Justice, the Correctional Managed Health
1010	1010	Care Committee, or the Board of Pardons and Paroles, as applicable,
1011	1011	appointed before, on, or after the effective date of this Act.
1012	1012	(b) A member of the Texas Board of Criminal Justice, the
1013	1013	Correctional Managed Health Care Committee, or the Board of Pardons
1014	1014	and Paroles who, before the effective date of this Act, completed
1015	1015	the training program required by Section 492.0031, 501.140, or
1016	1016	508.0362, Government Code, as that law existed before the effective
1017	1017	date of this Act, is only required to complete additional training
1018	1018	on the subjects added by this Act to the training program required
1019	1019	by Section 492.0031, 501.140, or 508.0362, Government Code, as
1020	1020	applicable. A member described by this subsection may not vote,
1021	1021	deliberate, or be counted as a member in attendance at a meeting of
1022	1022	the applicable board or committee held on or after December 1, 2025,
1023	1023	until the member completes the additional training.
1024	1024	SECTION 39. (a) Section 508.0362, Government Code, as
1025	1025	amended by this Act, applies to a parole commissioner employed by
1026	1026	the Board of Pardons and Paroles before, on, or after the effective
1027	1027	date of this Act.
1028	1028	(b) A parole commissioner who, before the effective date of
1029	1029	this Act, completed the training program required by Section
1030	1030	508.0362, Government Code, as that law existed before the effective
1031	1031	date of this Act, is only required to complete additional training
1032	1032	on the subjects added by this Act to the training program required
1033	1033	by that section. A parole commissioner described by this
1034	1034	subsection may not vote or deliberate on a matter described by
1035	1035	Section 508.0441, Government Code, occurring on or after December
1036	1036	1, 2025, until the member completes the additional training.
1037	1037	SECTION 40. As soon as practicable after the effective date
1038	1038	of this Act:
1039	1039	(1) the Texas Board of Criminal Justice shall adopt
1040	1040	the rules required by Sections 499.101(a), 508.1131, and 508.1142,
1041	1041	Government Code, as amended by this Act; and
1042	1042	(2) the Board of Pardons and Paroles shall adopt the
1043	1043	rules required by Section 508.146(g), Government Code, as added by
1044	1044	this Act.
1045	1045	SECTION 41. (a) Not later than December 1, 2025, the Board
1046	1046	of Pardons and Paroles shall make the training required by Section
1047	1047	508.0421, Government Code, as added by this Act, available to board
1048	1048	members and parole commissioners described by Subsection (a) of
1049	1049	that section.
1050	1050	(b) Notwithstanding Section 508.0421(d), Government Code,
1051	1051	as added by this Act, a board member or parole commissioner to whom
1052	1052	that section applies is not required to complete the training
1053	1053	required by that section until December 1, 2025.
1054	1054	SECTION 42. Not later than September 1, 2026:
1055	1055	(1) the Texas Department of Criminal Justice and the
1056	1056	Windham School District shall develop the strategic plan required
1057	1057	by Section 501.104, Government Code, as added by this Act; and
1058	1058	(2) the Texas Department of Criminal Justice shall
1059	1059	revise each inmate's individual treatment plan as necessary to
1060	1060	conform to the requirements of Section 508.152(b-3), Government
1061	1061	Code, as added by this Act.
1062	1062	SECTION 43. The Board of Pardons and Paroles is not required
1063	1063	to comply with the changes in law made by this Act to Sections
1064	1064	508.036 and 508.1445, Government Code, until September 1, 2026.
1065	1065	SECTION 44. This Act takes effect September 1, 2025.