TITLE 37.PUBLIC SAFETY AND CORRECTIONS

Part 3. TEXAS YOUTH COMMISSION

Chapter 85. ADMISSION AND PLACEMENT

Subchapter B. PLACEMENT PLANNING

37 TAC §85.29

The Texas Youth Commission (TYC) proposes an amendment to §85.29, concerning Program Completion and Movement of Other than Sentenced Offenders. The amendment to the section will clarify the criteria under which youth with non-determinate sentences qualify for release or transfer to a placement of less than high restriction.

Don McCullough, Assistant Deputy Executive Director for Financial Support, has determined that for the first five-year period the section is in effect there will be no fiscal implications for state or local government as a result of enforcing or administering the section.

Mr. McCullough also has determined that for each year of the first five years the section is in effect the public benefit anticipated as a result of enforcing the section will be the efficient processing and timely release or transfer of eligible youth. There will be no effect on small businesses. There is no anticipated economic cost to persons who are required to comply with the section as proposed. No private real property rights are affected by adoption of this rule.

Comments on the proposal may be submitted to DeAnna Lloyd, Policy Coordinator, Texas Youth Commission, 4900 North Lamar, P.O. Box 4260, Austin, Texas 78765.

The amendment is proposed under the Human Resources Code, §61.075 Determination of Treatment, which provides the Texas Youth Commission with the authority to determine release and transition criteria which best serve the child's welfare and protection of the public.

The proposed rule affects the Human Resource Code, §61.034.

§85.29.Program Completion and Movement of Other Than Sentenced Offenders.

(a) - (d) (No change.)

(e) Program Completion Criteria and Movement.

(1) Youth Whose Classifying Offense is Type A Violent Offender.

(A) Criteria. A type A violent offender youth will be eligible for transition/release to a placement of less than high restriction when the following criteria have been met:

[ (i) no major rule violations within 90 days prior to the transition/release review; and]

(i) [ (ii) ] completion of the Minimum Length of Stay (MLS); and

(ii) [ (iii) ] completion of phase 4 on all three components of resocialization . [ goals; and ]

[ (iv) completion of Individual Case Plan (ICP) objectives;]

[ (I) completion of required ICP objectives for transition to medium restriction except objectives which cannot be completed in the current placement but which may be completed in a medium restriction placement; or]

[ (II) completion of all ICP objectives for release to home level restriction.]

(B) (No change.)

(2) Youth Whose Classifying Offense is Other Than Type A Violent Offender.

(A) Criteria. A youth other than a type A violent offender youth will be eligible for transition/release to a placement of less than high restriction when the following criteria have been met:

[ (i) no major rule violations within 90 days prior to the transition/release review; and]

(i) [ (ii) ] completion of minimum length of stay requirements:

(I) completion except three months for transition to medium restriction for youth assigned a classification MLS of less than 12 months and is low risk to fail to complete program requirements at medium restriction placement; or

(II) completion except six months for transition to medium restriction for youth assigned a classification MLS of 12 or more months and is low risk to fail to complete program requirements at medium restriction placement; or

(III) completion of the entire MLS for release to home level restriction; and

(ii) [ (iii) ] completion of phase requirements;

(I) phase 3 on all three components of resocialization [ goals ] for transition to medium restriction (for youth classified on or after January 1, 1996), (not applicable to youth in contract placements); and

(II) phase 4 on all three components of resocialization [ goals ] for release to home level restriction (for youth classified on or after January 1, 1996), (not applicable to youth in contract placements) . [ ; and ]

[ (iv) completion of required ICP objectives:]

[ (I) completion of required ICP objectives for transition to medium restriction except objectives which cannot be completed in the current placement but which may be completed in a medium restriction placement; or]

[ (II) completion of all ICP objectives for release to home level restriction.]

(B) (No change.)

(3) (No change.)

(f) (No change.)

(g) Movement Without Program Completion.

(1) - (2) (No change.)

(3) Exceptions to Control Population. TYC recognizes that optimum program integrity, efficiency, and safety is possible only if programs are not overpopulated. When overpopulation occurs in any institution, certain remedial actions are taken by the facility.

(A) (No change.)

(B) Early Release Criteria. Youth in specialized treatment programs and sentenced offenders are not eligible for early release under these procedures. Those who may be released early are general population youth who:

(i) have completed the minimum length of [ on ] stay, and

(ii) have completed phase three on all three components of resocialization.

(C) - (E) (No change.)

(4) (No change.)

(h) (No change.)

This agency hereby certifies that the proposal has been reviewed by legal counsel and found to be within the agency's legal authority to adopt.

Filed with the Office of the Secretary of State on February 3, 2003.

TRD-200300825

Steve Robinson

Executive Director

Texas Youth Commission

Earliest possible date of adoption: March 16, 2003

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


37 TAC §85.33

The Texas Youth Commission (TYC) proposes an amendment to §85.33, concerning Program Completion and Movement of Sentenced Offenders. The amendment to the section will clarify the criteria under which youth with determinate sentences qualify for release or transfer to a placement of less than high restriction.

Don McCullough, Assistant Deputy Executive Director for Financial Support, has determined that for the first five-year period the section is in effect there will be no fiscal implications for state or local government as a result of enforcing or administering the section.

Mr. McCullough also has determined that for each year of the first five years the section is in effect the public benefit anticipated as a result of enforcing the section will be the efficient processing and timely release or transfer of eligible youth. There will be no effect on small businesses. There is no anticipated economic cost to persons who are required to comply with the section as proposed. No private real property rights are affected by adoption of this rule.

Comments on the proposal may be submitted to DeAnna Lloyd, Policy Coordinator, Texas Youth Commission, 4900 North Lamar, P.O. Box 4260, Austin, Texas 78765.

The amendment is proposed under the Human Resources Code, §61.075 Determination of Treatment, which provides the Texas Youth Commission with the authority to determine release and transition criteria which best serve the child's welfare and protection of the public.

The proposed rule affects the Human Resource Code, §61.034.

§85.33.Program Completion and Movement of Sentenced offenders.

(a) - (e) (No change.)

(f) Youth sentenced to commitment in the Texas Youth Commission (TYC) for offenses committed on or after January 1, 1996.

(1) (No change.)

(2) Program Completion Criteria and Movement.

(A) Youth Whose Classifying Offense is a Category 1 Offense.

(i) Criteria. A category 1 sentenced offender youth will be eligible for transition/release to a placement of less than high restriction when the following criteria have been met:

[ (I) no major rule violations within 90 days prior to the transition/release review; and]

(I) [ (II) ] completion of the minimum period of confinement, except as provided in clause (iii) of this subparagraph; and

(II) [ (III) ] completion of phase 4 on all three components of resocialization . [ goals; and ]

[ (IV) completion of Individual Case Plan (ICP) objectives:]

[ (-a-) completion of required ICP objectives for transition to medium restriction, except objectives which cannot be completed in the current placement, but which may be completed in a medium restriction placement; or]

[ (-b-) completion of all ICP objectives for release on parole to home level restriction.]

(ii) - (iii) (No change.)

(B) Youth Whose Classifying Offense is a Category 2 Offense.

(i) Criteria. A category 2 sentenced offender youth will be eligible for transition/release to a placement of less than high restriction when the following criteria have been met.

[ (I) no major rule violations within 90 days prior to the transition/release review; and]

(I) [ (II) ] completion of the minimum period of confinement; and

(II) [ (III) ] completion of phase requirements:

(-a-) phase 3 on all three components of resocialization [ goals ] for transition to medium restriction; or

(-b-) phase 4 on all three components of resocialization [ goals ] for release to home level restriction . [ ; and ]

[ (IV) completion of Individual Case Plan (ICP) objectives:]

[ (-a-) completion of required ICP objectives for transition to medium restriction, except objectives which cannot be completed in the current placement, but which may be completed in a medium restriction placement; or]

[ (-b-) completion of all ICP objectives for release on parole to home level restriction.]

(ii) (No change.)

(C) (No change.)

(3) Transfer From TYC High Restriction To TDCJ, Institution Division. Transfer from a high restriction facility to the Texas Department of Criminal Justice, Institutional Division may occur as described in this paragraph.

(A) - (B) (No change.)

(C) Criteria For Other Youth. A transfer shall occur if ordered by the juvenile court. TYC may request a juvenile court hearing for any other youth if the following criteria have been met:

(i) - (iii) (No change.)

(iv) youth has met at least one of the following behavior criteria:

(I) (No change.)

(II) youth persistently has committed category I [ major ] rule violations (on three or more occasions); or

(III) - (IV) (No change.)

(v) - (vi) (No change.)

(D) (No change.)

(4) - (5) (No change.)

(g) - (h) (No change.)

This agency hereby certifies that the proposal has been reviewed by legal counsel and found to be within the agency's legal authority to adopt.

Filed with the Office of the Secretary of State on February 3, 2003.

TRD-200300826

Steve Robinson

Executive Director

Texas Youth Commission

Earliest possible date of adoption: March 16, 2003

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


Chapter 95. YOUTH DISCIPLINE

Subchapter A. DISCIPLINARY PRACTICES

37 TAC §95.3

(Editor's note: The text of the following section proposed for repeal will not be published. The section may be examined in the offices of the Texas Youth Commission or in the Texas Register office, Room 245, James Earl Rudder Building, 1019 Brazos Street, Austin.)

The Texas Youth Commission (TYC) proposes the repeal of §95.3, concerning Rules of Conduct, Contraband, and Dress. This section is being repealed and a new replacement section is being proposed for publication.

Don McCullough, Assistant Deputy Executive Director for Financial Support, has determined that for the first five-year period the section is in effect there will be no fiscal implications for state or local government as a result of enforcing or administering the section.

Mr. McCullough also has determined that for each year of the first five years the section is in effect the public benefit anticipated as a result of enforcing the repeal will be the replacement by a new rule which sets behavioral rules for youth under TYC jurisdiction. There will be no effect on small businesses. There is no anticipated economic cost to persons who are required to comply with the section as proposed. No private real property rights are affected by adoption of this rule.

Comments on the proposal may be submitted to DeAnna Lloyd, Policy Coordinator, Texas Youth Commission, 4900 North Lamar, P.O. Box 4260, Austin, Texas 78765.

The repeal is proposed under the Human Resources Code, §61.076, which provides the Texas Youth Commission with the authority to make rules appropriate to the accomplishment of its functions.

The proposed repeal affects the Human Resource Code, §61.034.

§95.3.Rules of Conduct, Contraband and Dress

This agency hereby certifies that the proposal has been reviewed by legal counsel and found to be within the agency's legal authority to adopt.

Filed with the Office of the Secretary of State on January 31, 2003.

TRD-200300796

Steve Robinson

Executive Director

Texas Youth Commission

Earliest possible date of adoption: March 16, 2003

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


37 TAC §95.3

The Texas Youth Commission (TYC) proposes a new §95.3, concerning Rule of Conduct. The new rule provides a list of behavioral rules that when violated, a TYC youth may receive a disciplinary consequence.

Don McCullough, Assistant Deputy Executive Director for Financial Support, has determined that for the first five-year period the section is in effect there will be no fiscal implications for state or local government as a result of enforcing or administering the section.

Mr. McCullough also has determined that for each year of the first five years the section is in effect the public benefit anticipated as a result of enforcing the section will be increased safety of the general public and increased safety for TYC staff and youth. There will be no effect on small businesses. There is no anticipated economic cost to persons who are required to comply with the section as proposed. No private real property rights are affected by adoption of this rule.

Comments on the proposal may be submitted to DeAnna Lloyd, Policy Coordinator, Texas Youth Commission, 4900 North Lamar, P.O. Box 4260, Austin, Texas 78765.

The new rule is proposed under the Human Resources Code, §61.076, which provides the Texas Youth Commission with the authority to permit the youth under jurisdiction liberty under supervision, order the youth's confinement under conditions it believes best designed for the youth's welfare and interest of the public, order reconfinement or renewed release, revoke or modify any order of the commission.

The proposed rule affects the Human Resource Code, §61.034.

§95.3.Rule of Conduct.

(a) Purpose. The purpose of this rule is to establish rules of conduct; youth will be expected to follow agency-wide. Violations of the rules result in disciplinary consequences that are proportional to the severity and extent of the violation and follow appropriate due process.

(b) Texas Youth Commission (TYC) facilities and programs shall maintain youth discipline to the extent necessary to keep order and provide a safe and constructive environment for youth, staff and visitors.

(c) Rules in this policy may be restated in greater detail or otherwise adapted to accommodate a particular program in order to help clarify expected behavior in that program. All adapted or restated rules shall remain consistent with the general rules of conduct.

(d) The rules are posted in a conspicuous area accessible to youth in each facility and program.

(e) Rules of Conduct. It is a violation to knowingly violate or attempt to violate or help someone else violate any of the Rules of Conduct. Repeated violations of any rule of conduct will result in more serious disciplinary consequences.

(f) Category I Rule Violations. A category I rule violation is an act of misconduct that constitutes a crime, involves harm to the youth or others, or threatens facility safety, security, and order. These are the baseline rules which, when crossed, result in the most severe consequences. These consequences include referral to criminal court, disciplinary movement, reclassification, multi-phase demotion, and/or assignment of a disciplinary minimum length of stay. Category I rule violations are as follows:

(1) Violate any law of Texas or the United States - youth violates any law of Texas or the United States that is not otherwise specified as a Category I or II rule violation.

(2) Escape - youth leaves the property of the assigned location without authorization or fails to return from an authorized leave.

(3) Attempted Escape - youth, with specific intent to escape, commits an act amounting to more than mere preparation, but fails to effect the intended escape.

(4) Abscond - youth assigned to a minimum or home level of restriction leaves any TYC-designated location without permission of staff and his/her whereabouts are unknown to TYC staff. (A youth that fails to report to the assigned parole officer, but whose whereabouts are known, is not an absconder.)

(5) Fleeing Apprehension - youth is in an undesignated area and intentionally flees apprehension by TYC staff.

(6) Failure to Report - youth assigned to minimum or home level restriction fails to report as required by the youth's most recent case plan.

(7) Assault on Staff/Volunteer (Bodily Injury) - youth intentionally, knowingly, or recklessly causes bodily injury to staff or volunteer. Staff is defined as a TYC employee, contract program employee, or any person who is providing contract services at a contract program or TYC-operated facility.

(8) Assault on Staff/Volunteer (Offensive Contact) - youth intentionally or knowingly causes physical contact with a staff when the youth knows or should reasonably believe that the staff will regard the contact as offensive or provocative (includes hitting without injury, spitting, touching of staff's buttocks or breasts, etc.) Staff is defined as a TYC employee, contract program employee, or any person who is providing contract services at a contract program or TYC-operated facility.

(9) Assault of Youth/Other (Bodily Injury) - youth intentionally or knowingly, or recklessly causes bodily injury to another.

(10) Assault of Youth/Other (Offensive Contact) - youth intentionally or knowingly causes physical contact with another when the person knows or should reasonably believe that the other will regard the contact as offensive or provocative (includes hitting without injury, spitting, touching of buttocks or breasts, etc.).

(11) Assault by Threat (Imminent Bodily Injury) - by word, gesture, or conduct a youth intentionally or knowingly threatens another with imminent bodily injury.

(12) Injury to Self - by means of intentional or reckless conduct, a youth engages in bodily harm to self.

(13) Tattooing/Body Piercing - youth engages in tattooing or body piercing of either self or others. (Although youth in halfway house and parole may have pierced ears, they may not pierce each others' ears.)

(14) Possession of a weapon - youth is found to be in possession of a weapon or item(s) which can be used, made, or adapted for use as a weapon.

(15) Possession or Use of Substance - youth is found to be using or possessing any controlled substance or intoxicant. This also includes tobacco for youth in a residential placement.

(16) Refusing a Drug Screen - youth refuses to take a drug screen when requested to do so by staff.

(17) Vandalism ($50 or more) - youth intentionally damages state or personal property having an estimated value of $50 or more.

(18) Participation in a Riot - youth intentionally participates with two (2) or more persons in conduct that threatens imminent harm to persons or property and substantially obstructs the performance of facility operations or programs.

(19) Two or More Failures to Comply with Written Reasonable Request - youth fails on two (2) or more occasions to comply with the conditions of release under supervision and/or a reasonable specific written request of staff that is either present in the ICP or is validly related to previous high-risk behavior. If the expectation is daily or weekly, the two (2) failures to comply must be within a 30-day period. If the expectation is monthly, the two (2) failures to comply must be within a 90-day period.

(20) Inappropriate Sexual Contact - youth engages in inappropriate sexual contact including kissing or including touching or fondling the anus, buttocks, breast, or genitals of another for sexual stimulation.

(21) Indecent Exposure - youth engages in intentional or reckless exposure of anus, buttocks, breasts, or genitals.

(22) Extortion - youth uses his/her perceived position or power to obtain property, funds, or action from another person.

(23) Chunking Bodily Fluids - with the intent to harass, alarm, or annoy another person, a youth causes a person to contact the blood, seminal fluid, urine, and/or feces of another person. Does not include saliva.

(24) Stealing ($50 or more) - youth takes, without permission, an item or items with an estimated value of $50 or more.

(25) Tampering with Information Technology Resources or Safety Equipment - youth tampers or interferes with the operations of safety or other emergency related equipment, or information technology/computer, video and/or communications equipment, to include improperly accessing information.

(26) Aiding, Abetting, or Failing to Report Commission of a Category I Rule Violation - youth assists or helps another youth to commit a category I rule violation or youth keeps secret the knowledge of a category I rule violation being planned or committed.

(g) Category II Rule Violations. A category II rule violation is an act of misconduct that reflects a youth's immaturity, lack of responsibility, and intractability that, if unchecked, could lead to more serious category I violations. It is willful behavior that breaks rules for which minor consequences, called on-site disciplinary consequences, may be levied. Minor consequences include loss of privileges, restriction, or confiscation of contraband. Category II rule violations are as follows:

(1) Stealing/Under $50 - youth takes, without permission, an item or items with an estimated value of less than $50.

(2) Vandalism/Under $50 - youth intentionally damages, without permission, state or personal property having an estimated value of less than $50.

(3) Contraband (Except Drugs/Weapon) - youth possesses an item(s) that is considered improper for children to see or possess or that may threaten the safety, security, or order of the facility. Consult (GAP) §91.7 of this title (relating to Youth Personal Property) for definition of contraband.

(4) Threat of Harm to Self - by word, gesture, or conduct, a youth expresses intent to engage in bodily harm to self.

(5) Danger to Others - youth intentionally or recklessly, by word, gesture or conduct, threatens to cause bodily harm to others.

(6) Lending/Borrowing/Trading Items - youth lends to, borrows from, or trades with another youth possessions, including food items, without permission from staff.

(7) Disruption of Program - youth engages in behavior that requires intervention to the extent that the youth's current program is disrupted. Types of disruption might include:

(A) disrupting a scheduled activity;

(B) being loud or disruptive without staff permission;

(C) using profanity or engaging in disrespectful behavior;

(D) refusing to participate in a scheduled activity or abide by program rules;

(E) engaging in rough boisterous behavior and/or physical contact intended for aggravating or annoying another person; or

(F) engaging in disruptive behavior after bedtime.

(8) Undesignated Area - youth is in any area without the appropriate permission to be in that area.

(9) Refusal to Follow Staff Instructions (Verbal) - youth deliberately does not comply with a specific and reasonable verbal or written request or instruction made by a staff member.

(10) Miss Scheduled Activities or Curfew - youth fails to attend a scheduled activity or violates curfew. Not applicable to youth in a high restriction facility.

(11) Gambling - youth engages in a bet or wager with another person.

(12) Failure to Abide by Dress Code - youth fails to follow the rules of dress and appearance in accordance with (GAP) 91.5 of this title (relating to Clothing, Hair, and Symbolic Expression) or as conditions of parole.

(13) Aiding, Abetting, or Failing to Report Commission of a Category II Rule Violation - youth assists or helps another youth to commit a category II rule violation or youth keeps secret the knowledge of a category II rule violation being committed or planned.

(14) Breaching Group Confidentiality - youth discloses or discusses information provided to him in a correctional therapy group session to another person not present in that group session.

(15) Violating Security Program/Rules - youth is not complying with the standardized program or rules of the security unit while in the security unit.

(16) Improper Use of Telephone/Mail - youth uses the mail or telephone system for communication which is prohibited under (GAP) §93.15 of this title (relating to Youth Mail).

(17) Failure to do Proper Housekeeping - youth does not complete the daily chores of cleaning his/her living environment to the expected standard.

(18) Gang Related Activity - youth engages in a behavior or activity associated with an organized group or gang including, but not limited to, tagging, displaying gang hand signals, using gang slang language, and/or possessing gang writing/symbols of any kind including on clothing.

(19) Lying/Falsifying Documentation/Cheating - youth lies or withholds information from staff, falsifies a document and/or cheats in an assignment or test.

(20) Threat of Escape - by word, gesture, or conduct, a youth expresses an intention to escape a residential placement assignment.

(f) Contraband. Consistent with the Rules of Conduct, youth in a residential program, which is under contract to TYC or operated by TYC, shall not have contraband. Contraband items will be confiscated and disposed of in accordance with (GAP) §97.11 of this title (relating to Control of Unauthorized Items Seized). Contraband is defined in (GAP) §91.7 of this title (relating to Youth Personal Property).

This agency hereby certifies that the proposal has been reviewed by legal counsel and found to be within the agency's legal authority to adopt.

Filed with the Office of the Secretary of State on January 31, 2003.

TRD-200300795

Steve Robinson

Executive Director

Texas Youth Commission

Earliest possible date of adoption: March 16, 2003

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