TITLE 37.PUBLIC SAFETY AND CORRECTIONS

Part 1. TEXAS DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY

Chapter 1. ORGANIZATION AND ADMINISTRATION

Subchapter D. PUBLIC INFORMATION POLICIES

37 TAC §1.60

The Texas Department of Public Safety adopts new §1.60, concerning Public Information Policies, without changes to the proposed text as published in the March 17, 2006, issue of the Texas Register (31 TexReg 1907).

Department of Public Safety officers are occasionally called upon to conduct investigations of possible child abuse which nearly always involve allegations against someone who is not a parent or guardian of the alleged victim. Chapter 261 of the Family Code makes investigations of alleged child abuse or neglect confidential and prohibits the release of both the investigation report and any evidence developed during the investigation to any person if the agency conducting the investigation has not adopted a rule governing release of its report and investigation materials. Thus, in some instances, DPS has been prohibited from releasing the results of an investigation to the parent(s) of a child who was allegedly abused by a third person. Adoption of the new section is necessary in order to permit DPS to provide investigation reports and other materials to parents when doing so would not jeopardize the child or any pending criminal case.

No comments were received regarding adoption of the new section.

The new section is adopted pursuant to Texas Government Code, §411.004(3), which authorizes the Public Safety Commission to adopt rules considered necessary for carrying out the department's work; and Family Code, §261.201(a).

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 May 19, 2006.

TRD-200602826

Thomas A. Davis, Jr.

Director

Texas Department of Public Safety

Effective date: June 8, 2006

Proposal publication date: March 17, 2006

For further information, please call: (512) 424-2135


Chapter 4. COMMERCIAL VEHICLE REGULATIONS AND ENFORCEMENT PROCEDURES

Subchapter C. COMMERCIAL VEHICLE REGISTRATION AND INSPECTION ENFORCEMENT

37 TAC §4.36

The Texas Department of Public Safety adopts amendments to Chapter 4, Subchapter C, §4.36, concerning Commercial Motor Vehicle Compulsory Inspection Program, without changes to the proposed text as published in the March 17, 2006, issue of the Texas Register (31 TexReg 1908).

Adoption of the amendments to §4.36 delete current subsection (g)(6) and are necessary in order to require that certain commercial vehicles transporting passengers and registered in this state must pass an annual inspection of all safety equipment in accordance with recent changes to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations.

No comments were received regarding adoption of the amendments.

The amendments are adopted pursuant to Texas Government Code, §411.004(3), which authorizes the Public Safety Commission to adopt rules considered necessary for carrying out the department's work; and Texas Transportation Code, §548.002, which authorizes the department to adopt rules to administer and enforce the compulsory inspection of vehicles.

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 May 19, 2006.

TRD-200602827

Thomas A. Davis, Jr.

Director

Texas Department of Public Safety

Effective date: June 8, 2006

Proposal publication date: March 17, 2006

For further information, please call: (512) 424-2135


Chapter 5. CRIMINAL LAW ENFORCEMENT

Subchapter D. MULTICOUNTY DRUG TASK FORCES

37 TAC §§5.51 - 5.70

The Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) adopts new Subchapter D, §§5.51 - 5.70, relating to the implementation of multicounty drug task forces, without changes to the proposed text as published in the March 17, 2006, issue of the Texas Register (31 TexReg 1909).

Adoption of the new sections is necessary in order to promulgate the policies and procedures of DPS governing the statewide coordination of multicounty drug task forces. The new sections are necessary as a result of the passage of Texas H.B. 1239, Acts 2005, 79th Leg., R.S., ch. 556, §§1 - 4.

No timely comments were received regarding adoption of the new sections.

The new sections are adopted pursuant to Texas Government Code, §411.0097, which requires the department to establish policies and procedures for multicounty drug task forces, provides the authority to ensure compliance, and the authority to evaluate each multicounty drug force with respect to whether the task force complies with state and federal requirements including policies and procedures established by the department and demonstrates effective performance outcomes; and Texas Local Government Code, §362.004, which provides that the department confirm the strategic need for the task force and the composition of the task force and that the force comply with the policies and procedures established for the operation of the multicounty drug task force.

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 May 19, 2006.

TRD-200602828

Thomas A. Davis, Jr.

Director

Texas Department of Public Safety

Effective date: June 8, 2006

Proposal publication date: March 17, 2006

For further information, please call: (512) 424-2135


Chapter 15. DRIVER LICENSE RULES

Subchapter D. DRIVER IMPROVEMENT

37 TAC §15.89

The Texas Department of Public Safety adopts amendments to §15.89, concerning Driver Improvement, without changes to the proposed text as published in the March 17, 2006, issue of the Texas Register (31 TexReg 1912).

Adoption of the amendments to §15.89 are necessary in order to clarify that all endorsement violations, including a Commercial Driver License (CDL) endorsement violation, will be assessed a specific surcharge and not assessed points under the Driver Responsibility Program. Additionally, adoption of the amendments will remove superfluous language from the list that makes reference to four non-traffic violations. Finally, adoption of the amendments is necessary in light of the passage of House Bill 183 during the 79th Legislature, Regular Session. House Bill 183 amended Texas Transportation Code, §708.052 to make an offense under §545.412, relating to child safety seats, a moving violation of traffic law and subject to a surcharge.

Chapter 708 of the Transportation Code grants the department the authority to adopt rules to implement the Driver Responsibility Program (DRP). This program was initially created during the 78th Legislative Session (2003) and requires the department to assess fees based on an individual's driver history. DRP has two major components, a point system and a conviction surcharge system. The point system is based on the accumulation of Class C traffic offenses. An individual receives two points for each traffic conviction and three points if the offense resulted in a crash. The conviction surcharge system is based on a one-time conviction of certain more serious traffic offenses. The program requires the individual to pay the fee, ranging from $100 to $2000 every year for three years.

No comments were received regarding adoption of the amendments.

The amendment is adopted pursuant to Texas Government Code, §411.004(3), which authorizes the Public Safety Commission to adopt rules considered necessary for carrying out the department's work; and Texas Transportation Code, §708.002.

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 May 19, 2006.

TRD-200602829

Thomas A. Davis, Jr.

Director

Texas Department of Public Safety

Effective date: June 8, 2006

Proposal publication date: March 17, 2006

For further information, please call: (512) 424-2135