TITLE 37.PUBLIC SAFETY AND CORRECTIONS

Part 3. TEXAS YOUTH COMMISSION

Chapter 81. INTERACTION WITH THE PUBLIC

37 TAC §81.11

The Texas Youth Commission (TYC) adopts an amendment to § 81.11, concerning Complaints from the Public, without changes to the proposed text as published in the February 15, 2002, issue of the Texas Register (27 TexReg 1114).

The justification for amending the section is to provide better service to the public regarding complaints.

The amendment will provide the public with timely responses and resolutions to their complaints.

No comments were received regarding adoption of the amendment.

The amendment is adopted under the Human Resources Code, §61.0422, which provides the Texas Youth Commission with the obligation to provide a system regarding complaints of services.

The adopted rule implements the Human Resource Code, §61.034.

This agency hereby certifies that the adoption has been reviewed by legal counsel and found to be a valid exercise of the agency's legal authority.

Filed with the Office of the Secretary of State on March 25, 2002.

TRD-200201831

Steve Robinson

Executive Director

Texas Youth Commission

Effective date: April 15, 2002

Proposal publication date: February 15, 2002

For further information, please call: (512) 424-6301


Chapter 87. TREATMENT

Subchapter B. SPECIAL NEEDS OFFENDER PROGRAMS

37 TAC §87.67

The Texas Youth Commission (TYC) adopts an amendment to §87.67, concerning Corsicana Stabilization Unit, with changes to the proposed text as published in the February 22, 2002, issue of the Texas Register (27 TexReg 1243). Changes to the proposed text consist of minor grammatical changes.

The justification for amending the section is to allow for more sound psychiatric services to be provided to the appropriate youth who need them.

The amendment will broaden the number of youth that may be served at the Corsicana Stabilization Unit. Amendments were also made to allow a youth to be admitted for assessment purposes for up to 45 days from date of arrival.

No comments were received regarding adoption of the amendment.

The amendment is adopted under the Human Resources Code, §61.076, which provides the Texas Youth Commission with the authority to determine the most appropriate means of treatment for youth committed to the Texas Youth Commission.

The adopted rule implements the Human Resource Code, §61.034.

§87.67.Corsicana Stabilization Unit.

(a) Purpose. The purpose of this rule is to establish criteria and procedures for admission and evaluation for specialized treatment services in the Corsicana Stabilization Unit (CSU), for psychiatrically disturbed Texas Youth Commission (TYC) youth.

(b) Applicability.

(1) The mental health status review due process procedures are found in (GAP) §95.71 of this title (relating to Mental Health Status Review Hearing Procedure).

(2) See (GAP) §95.55 of this title (relating to Level II Hearing Procedure).

(3) See (GAP) §95.51 of this title (relating to Level I Hearing Procedure).

(4) For emergency mental health placements, see (GAP) §87.71 of this title (relating to Emergency Mental Health Admission).

(c) Admissions.

(1) Admission Criteria. Youth who may be admitted to the CSU at the Corsicana Residential Treatment Center are those who meet the following criteria:

(A) youth demonstrates serious dysfunction in behavior, judgment, thinking, or mood; and

(B) the dysfunction is the result of a current neurological deficit and/or emotional disturbance and/or psychiatric disorder, e.g. psychosis, major affective disorder, organic disorder, or anxiety disorder; and the dysfunction is not the result of a primary conduct disorder or antisocial personality disorder; and

(C) the youth's behavior presents a risk of serious harm to the youth or others; or

(D) the youth, ,if not treated, will continue to suffer severe and abnormal mental, emotional, or physical distress and will continue to experience deterioration in his/her ability to function independently, as evidenced by the youth's inability to attend to basic needs, such as food, health, personal hygiene, or safety; and

(E) the stabilization unit is the least-restrictive intervention alternative that is appropriate and available to safely and effectively meet the treatment needs and to control the dysfunctional behavior.

(2) Admission Process.

(A) Referrals. Complete current psychiatric and psychological evaluations by a licensed psychiatrist and a psychologist must be included in order to be considered. Referral information should be sent directly to the stabilization unit admissions panel.

(B) Emergency Referrals. If an emergency exists, procedures in (GAP) §87.71 of this title (relating to Emergency Mental Health Admission) must be followed. Consistent with emergency criteria, staff may request of the superintendent immediate placement of the youth in the CSU. On admission, requirements in this policy are effective for all emergency admissions.

(3) 96 Hour Admission Review Process. A mental health status review hearing shall be held for all youth within 96 hours of arrival at the unit. If the 96 hour period ends on a Saturday, Sunday or Legal Holiday, the hearing must be held on the next regular working day. The hearing is held to determine whether criteria for unit admission have been met.

(A) If the youth is deemed not to be appropriate for admission, he/she is not retained in the program. Youth who are not admitted are returned to the referring program/location.

(B) If the youth is deemed appropriate for admission, he/she is retained and treated in the program.

(C) If the youth's treatment needs and appropriateness for admission cannot be determined during the 96 hour mental status review hearing, the youth may be temporarily admitted for diagnostic and assessment purposes up to 45 days from the date of arrival provided the hearing panel concludes:

(i) the youth does exhibit evidence of psychiatric dysfunction; and

(ii) the youth has exhibited recent behavior that presents a danger to self or others or chronic failure to progress in his/her prior placement; and

(iii) the youth is in need of comprehensive psychiatric and psychological evaluation in a specialized setting; and

(iv) the CSU is the least restrictive setting in which to effectively accomplish this evaluation.

(d) Program Requirements.

(1) The program focus will be on stabilization of the psychiatric dysfunction.

(2) Services are provided in a self-contained unit at the TYC Corsicana Residential Treatment Center.

(3) An individualized treatment program reflecting treatment goals and objectives shall be developed for and with each youth.

(4) The treatment team shall review the youth's progress weekly.

(5) By the end of 90 days from the date of the admission due process hearing, a youth shall be returned to the referring source or referred to CPU for appropriate placement unless an extension becomes effective at that time.

(e) Extension of Time Beyond 90 Days to Treat the Psychiatric Dysfunction.

(1) Extension Criteria. Extension may occur if criteria are met:

(A) youth continues to meet admission criteria; and

(B) the youth's treatment plan has been implemented appropriately; or

(C) the youth has symptoms of mental illness and will benefit from treatment in the CSU and continued treatment in this setting is deemed to be in the youth's best interest.

(2) Extension Due Process Requirements.

(A) The due process required to determine whether extension criteria have been met is:

(i) a level I hearing for all youth on parole. Parole is not revoked; or

(ii) a mental health status review hearing for all non-parole youth.

(B) The due process hearing shall be conducted:

(i) two weeks immediately preceding the youth's 90th day from the admission hearing or two weeks preceding the anniversary date of the latest extension hearing unless the youth is being considered for transition out of the unit before the end of the initial 90 day stay or latest extension hearing; or

(ii) as soon as the youth returns to the unit if he/she is in a state hospital at the time the hearing is required.

(3) The Effect of an Extension.

(A) Extension shall be in effect only if extension criteria are found in a due process hearing.

(B) An extension granted means that the period of time, beyond the initial 90 day stay, during which a youth may be treated for a psychiatric dysfunction under rules of this policy, shall be extended for up to 12 months from the date of the extension due process hearing. Successive extension hearings may be held.

(4) Release and Transition Options.

(A) The treatment team shall determine by majority vote that the youth is ready to leave the stabilization unit. The criteria for deciding releases must be consistent with the criteria for deciding admission or extension.

(B) Release options are consistent with the youth's residential placement at referral. Youth on institutional status will be transitioned through a Residential Treatment Program unless recommended otherwise by the treatment team.

(C) The extension of time to treat the psychiatric dysfunction shall be terminated when placement is no longer needed for the primary purpose of treatment of the dysfunction.

(D) Following termination of the extension, future placement decisions, including the youth's return to his/her home parole placement, are made in accordance with other applicable policies and procedures.

(E) No youth may be discharged from TYC jurisdiction directly from a CSU unless TYC's jurisdiction ends by statute.

This agency hereby certifies that the adoption has been reviewed by legal counsel and found to be a valid exercise of the agency's legal authority.

Filed with the Office of the Secretary of State on March 25, 2002.

TRD-200201832

Steve Robinson

Executive Director

Texas Youth Commission

Effective date: April 15, 2002

Proposal publication date: February 22, 2002

For further information, please call: (512) 424-6301


Chapter 91. PROGRAM SERVICES

Subchapter D. HEALTH CARE SERVICES

37 TAC §91.99

The Texas Youth Commission (TYC) adopts an amendment to §91.99, concerning Medical Admission for Al Price State Juvenile Correctional Facility, without changes to the proposed text as published in the February 15, 2002, issue of the Texas Register (27 TexReg 1117).

The justification for amending the section is compliance with the changing of the name of the facility in honor of Al Price.

The amendment will change the name from Jefferson County State School to the Al Price State Juvenile Correctional Facility as well as give a name to the specific location where special medical services will be given. The location is now referred to as the Medical Recovery Dorm throughout the rule.

No comments were received regarding adoption of the amendment.

The amendment is adopted under the Human Resources Code, §61.076, which provides the Texas Youth Commission with the authority to provide any medical treatment that is necessary.

The adopted rule implements the Human Resource Code, §61.034.

This agency hereby certifies that the adoption has been reviewed by legal counsel and found to be a valid exercise of the agency's legal authority.

Filed with the Office of the Secretary of State on March 25, 2002.

TRD-200201833

Steve Robinson

Executive Director

Texas Youth Commission

Effective date: April 15, 2002

Proposal publication date: February 15, 2002

For further information, please call: (512) 424-6301


Chapter 93. YOUTH RIGHTS AND REMEDIES

37 TAC §93.53

The Texas Youth Commission (TYC) adopts an amendment to §93.53, concerning Appeal to Executive Director, without changes to the proposed text as published in the February 15, 2002, issue of the Texas Register (27 TexReg 1118).

The justification for amending the section is will be an increased level of due process for TYC youth.

The amendment will allow a direct appeal to the executive director as a result of a second and subsequent, rather than third and subsequent level IV hearing.

No comments were received regarding adoption of the amendment.

The amendment is adopted under the Human Resources Code, §61.045, which provides the Texas Youth Commission with the responsibility for the operation of its programs and facilities.

The adopted rule implements the Human Resource Code, §61.034.

This agency hereby certifies that the adoption has been reviewed by legal counsel and found to be a valid exercise of the agency's legal authority.

Filed with the Office of the Secretary of State on March 25, 2002.

TRD-200201834

Steve Robinson

Executive Director

Texas Youth Commission

Effective date: April 15, 2002

Proposal publication date: February 15, 2002

For further information, please call: (512) 424-6301