TITLE 37. PUBLIC SAFETY AND CORRECTIONS

Part 6. TEXAS DEPARTMENT OF CRIMINAL JUSTICE

Chapter 151. GENERAL PROVISIONS

37 TAC §151.4

The Texas Board of Criminal Justice (TBCJ) proposes amendments to §151.4, Public Testimony and Comments to the Texas Board of Criminal Justice. The proposed amendments are necessary to clarify procedures for public presentations and comments on topics under the jurisdiction of the TBCJ.

Charles Marsh, Chief Financial Officer for the Texas Department of Criminal Justice, has determined that for the first five (5) years the rule will be in effect, enforcing or administering the rule will not have foreseeable implications related to costs or revenues for state or local government.

Mr. Marsh has also determined that, for the first five (5) year period, there will not be an economic impact on persons required to comply with the rule. There will not be an effect on small or micro businesses. The anticipated public benefit, as a result of enforcing the rule, will be to ensure the public has an opportunity for public presentations and comments to the TBCJ.

Comments should be directed to Melinda Hoyle Bozarth, General Counsel, Texas Department of Criminal Justice, P.O. Box 13084, Austin, Texas 78711, Melinda.Bozarth@tdcj.state.tx.us. Written comments from the general public should be received within 30 days of the publication of this rule.

The amendments are proposed under Texas Government Code, §492.007, §492.013 and Chapter 551.

Cross Reference to Statutes: Texas Government Code, §492.007, §492.013 and Chapter 551.

§151.4.Public Presentations [ Testimony ] and Comments to the Texas Board of Criminal Justice.

(a) Policy. The Texas Board of Criminal Justice (TBCJ or Board) is committed to providing [ provide ] access and opportunity for public presentations and comments as provided for in this rule. [ testimony on items that are part of the Board's posted agenda as provided for in this subsection and in subsection (b) of this section. The Board also invites public comment on issues within the jurisdiction of the Board as provided for in this subsection and in subsection (c) of this section. ] Persons not employed by or under contract with [ outside ] the Texas Department of Criminal Justice (TDCJ or Agency), [ agency ] who wish to have items placed on the Board's posted [ Board ] agenda , shall [ are invited to ] follow the procedures set forth [ procedure ] in subsection (h) [ (d) ] of this rule [ section ]. Public presentations [ testimony ] and [ public ] comments shall be:

(1) subject to the requirements and restrictions of subsections (b), (c), (d), (e), (f)[ , ] and (g) [ and (h) ] of this rule [ section ];

(2) pertinent to issues under the jurisdiction of the Board, as determined by the Board Chairman and the TDCJ General Counsel; and

(3) pertinent to [ TDCJ ] policies, procedures, standards[ , ] and rules[ , ] of the TDCJ. Disputes [ while actual disputes ] that are appropriately [ properly ] the subject of the employee grievance system, the employee disciplinary system, the offender [ inmate ] grievance system, the offender [ inmate ] disciplinary system[ , ] or comments regarding pending litigation shall be addressed through those processes.

(b) Definitions.

(1) Public presentations--presentations made by the public to the Board regarding topics posted on a Board meeting agenda that has been filed with and published by the Texas Register and as provided for in subsection (c) of this rule.

(2) Public comments--comments made by the public on non-posted Board agenda topics and as provided for in subsection (d) of this rule.

(c) [ (b) ] Public presentations. [ testimony on posted agenda topics. ] Persons who desire to make public presentations [ testimony ] to the Board on posted agenda topics shall [ must ] provide, on the date of the meeting, a completed registration card to onsite Board office [ the Board's support ] staff at least ten (10) minutes prior to the meeting's posted start time. Registration cards shall be made available at the entry to the room [ place ] where the Board's scheduled meeting is [ to be ] held . [ and shall include blanks in which all of the following information must be disclosed: ]

(1) Pre-registration is available for public presentations through first class mail (P.O. Box 13084, Austin Texas 78711) or email (tbcj@tdcj.state.tx.us). Pre-registration shall be received by the Board office staff no later than four (4) calendar days prior to the posted meeting date of the presentation. In addition to the information required in subsection (c)(2), pre-registration submissions shall include appropriate contact information (daytime phone number and/or email address) for the individual who is registering to speak.

(2) Registration cards and pre-registration submissions shall disclose:

(A) [ (1) ] the name of the person who will make [ making ] the presentation;

(B) [ (2) ] a statement as to whether the person is being remunerated [ reimbursed ] for the presentation[ , ] and if so, by whom; and if applicable, the name of the person or entity on whose behalf the presentation will be [ is ] made;

(C) [ (3) ] a statement as to whether the presenter has registered as a lobbyist in relation [ relationship ] to the agenda topic being addressed [ matter in question ];

(D) [ (4) ] a reference to the agenda topic [ item, ] on which [ that ] the person wishes to present [ discuss before the Board ];

(E) [ (5) ] an indication as to whether the presenter will [ wishes to ] speak for or against the proposed agenda topic [ item ]; and

(F) [ (6) ] a statement verifying that all [ factual ] information that will [ to ] be presented is factual, [ shall be ] true and correct to the best of the speaker's knowledge [ of the speaker ].

(3) The TBCJ Chairman shall have discretion in setting reasonable limits on the time allocated for public presentations on posted agenda topics. If several persons have registered to address the Board on the same agenda topic, it shall be within the discretion of the Board Chairman to request that those persons select a representative amongst themselves to express such remarks or to limit their presentations to an expression of support for views previously articulated.

(4) The TBCJ Chairman shall provide an opportunity for public presentations to occur prior to the Board taking action on the topic denoted on the presenter's registration card. If a person who is registered to speak on a posted agenda item is not present when called upon, that person's opportunity to speak prior to action being taken on such topic shall be forfeited.

(5) A presenter may submit documentation pertaining to the public presentation to the Board office staff no later than three (3) calendar days prior to the posted meeting date where the presentation is to occur. Such documentation shall then be distributed to the Board. Any documentation submitted after the above-referenced date will not be distributed to the Board until after the presentation. A minimum of 12 copies of any such documentation shall be submitted to the Board office staff or distribution will not occur.

(d) [ (c) ] Public comments [ on non-posted topics ].

(1) The Board defines its areas of jurisdiction in Board Policy BP-01.01, which is available through [ at ] the Board office at the address listed in subsection (c) [ (d) ] of this rule [ section ], or on the Internet at http://tdcj.state.tx.us/policy/policy-home.htm. Twice a year at the second [ first ] and fourth regular [ regularly ] called meetings of the Board, [ which are typically held in January and July, ] an opportunity shall be provided for public comment on issues that are not part of the Board's posted agenda but are within the Board's jurisdiction [ of the Board ]. Special called meetings are not counted toward the requirement of this subsection.

(2) Persons who desire to make public comments to the Board at these meetings shall [ must ] provide, on the date of the meeting, a completed registration card to onsite Board office [ the Board's support ] staff at least ten (10) minutes prior to the meeting's posted start time. Registration cards shall be made available at the entry to the room [ place ] where the Board's scheduled meeting is [ to be ] held.

(3) Pre-registration is [ also ] available for public comments [ individuals interested in speaking at the bi-annual public comment periods. Pre-registration must be submitted to the Board office either ] through first class mail (P.O. Box 13084, Austin Texas 78711) or email (tbcj@tdcj.state.tx.us) . [ , ] Pre-registration shall be received by Board office staff [ and must take place ] no earlier than the first day of the [ even-numbered ] month preceding the Board meeting for which the registration is intended[ , ] and no later than four (4) [ seven (7) ] calendar days prior to the posted [ same ] meeting date where the comments are to occur. In addition to the information required in subsection (d)(4), pre-registration submissions shall include appropriate contact information (daytime phone number and/or email address) for the individual who is registering to speak .

(4) Registration cards and pre-registration submissions shall [ must ] disclose [ the following information ]:

(A) the name of the person who will make [ making ] the comments [ presentation ];

(B) a statement as to whether the person is being remunerated [ reimbursed ] for the comments, [ presentation, ] and if so, by whom; and, if applicable, the name of the person or entity on whose behalf the comments will be [ presentation is ] made;

(C) a statement as to whether the presenter has registered as a lobbyist in relation [ relationship ] to the topic being addressed [ matter in question ];

(D) the topic on which the person shall speak and whether the person will speak for or against the topic ; and

(E) a statement verifying that all [ factual ] information that will [ to ] be presented is [ shall be ] factual, true and correct to the best of the speaker's knowledge [ of the speaker ].

[ (d) Requests that issues be placed on an agenda. Persons outside the agency who wish to have an agenda item posted for discussion shall address their request to the Chairman, Texas Board of Criminal Justice, P.O. Box 13084, Austin, Texas 78711. Such requests should be submitted by the first day of the even-numbered month preceding the Board meeting for which the request is intended and are subject to the requirements of the registration card in subsection (b) of this section. The decision whether to calendar a matter for discussion before the full Board, a Board committee, a Board liaison, or with a designated staff member, shall be within the discretion of the Chairman. ]

(5) [ (e) Presentation timing. ] The TBCJ Chairman [ of the TBCJ ] shall have discretion in setting reasonable limits on the time [ to be ] allocated for public comments. [ testimony or public comment. ] If several persons have registered [ wish ] to address the Board on the same topic [ agenda item ], it shall be within the discretion of the Board Chairman to request that those persons select a representative amongst themselves to express such comments [ who wish to address the same side of the issue coordinate their comments ], or limit their comments to an expression of support for views previously articulated . [ by persons speaking on the same side of an issue. For public testimony on posted agenda topics, the Chairman shall provide an opportunity for said testimony by a person who has submitted a registration card to occur prior to the Board taking action on the item denoted on the registration card. ]

(6) Public comments shall be heard just prior to the conclusion of the Board meeting, with deviation from this practice within the discretion of the Board Chairman. If a person who is registered to speak on a non-posted topic is not present when called upon, that person shall be called once more following all other registered speakers. If that person is not present at that time, their opportunity to speak at that meeting shall be forfeited.

(7) Presenters may submit documentation pertaining to the public comments to the Board office staff no later than three (3) calendar days prior to the posted meeting date where the comments are to occur. Such documentation shall then be distributed to the Board. Any documentation submitted after the above-referenced date will not be distributed to the Board until after the comments. A minimum of 12 copies of any such documentation shall be submitted to the Board office staff or distribution will not occur.

(e) [ (f) ] Disability accommodations. [ accommodation. ] Persons with disabilities who have special communication or accommodation needs and who plan to attend a meeting may contact the Board office at (512) 475-3250. [ in Austin. ] Requests for accommodation shall [ should ] be made at least two (2) calendar days prior to [ before ] a posted meeting. The TBCJ shall [ department will ] make every reasonable effort to accommodate these needs.

(f) [ (g) ] Conduct and decorum. The Board shall [ will ] receive public presentations [ testimony ] and [ public ] comments as authorized by this rule [ section ], subject to the following additional guidelines : [ . ]

(1) Due to requirements of the Open Meetings Act, questions [ Questioning of those making presentations ] shall only occur on public presentations as defined herein (not as to public comments as defined herein) that are [ testimony ] associated with posted agenda topics and they shall be reserved for [ to ] Board members and staff recognized by the Board Chairman;

(2) Presentations and comments shall remain pertinent to the issues [ issue ] denoted on the registration cards [ card ];

(3) A presenter [ person ] who is determined by the Board Chairman to be disrupting a meeting shall [ must ] immediately cease the disruptive activity or leave the meeting room if ordered to do so by the Board Chairman; and

(4) A presenter [ person ] may not assign a portion of his or her allotted presentation time to another speaker.

(g) [ (h) ] A presenter [ person ] may not carry or possess a prohibited weapon (as defined in Section 46.05, Texas Penal Code) , an illegal knife, a club[ , ] or a handgun, to include a licensed concealed handgun , during any [ at a ] meeting of the Board.

(h) Requests for issues to be placed on an agenda. Persons not employed by or under contract with the Agency who wish to propose an agenda item for discussion on a Board meeting shall address the request in writing to the Chairman, Texas Board of Criminal Justice, P.O. Box 13084, Austin, Texas 78711. Such requests shall be titled, "Proposed Agenda Topic" and shall be submitted no later than the first day of the month preceding the Board meeting for which the request is intended. Such requests are subject to the requirements of the registration card in subsection (c) of this rule. The decision as to whether to calendar a matter for discussion before the Board, a Board committee, a Board liaison or with a designated staff member shall be within the discretion of the Board Chairman. Public presentations on topics placed on a Board agenda, at the request of an individual, shall be in accordance with subsection (c) of this rule.

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 May 25, 2007.

TRD-200702094

Melinda Hoyle Bozarth

General Counsel

Texas Department of Criminal Justice

Earliest possible date of adoption: July 15, 2007

For further information, please call: (512) 463-0422


Chapter 152. CORRECTIONAL INSTITUTIONS DIVISION

37 TAC §152.33

The Texas Board of Criminal Justice (TBCJ) proposes a new rule, §152.33, Addition to the Estes Unit Capacity.

The purpose of the rule is to provide notice of an increase to the capacity of the Estes Unit.

Charles Marsh, Chief Financial Officer for the Texas Department of Criminal Justice, has determined that for the first five (5) years the rule will be in effect, enforcing or administering the rule will cost the agency $2,594,342.

Mr. Marsh has also determined that, for the first five (5) year period, there will not be an economic impact on persons required to comply with the rule. There will not be an effect on small or micro businesses. The anticipated public benefit, as a result of enforcing the rule, will be to increase capacity at correctional facilities.

Comments should be directed to Melinda Hoyle Bozarth, General Counsel, Texas Department of Criminal Justice, P.O. Box 13084, Austin, Texas 78711, Melinda.Bozarth@tdcj.state.tx.us. Written comments from the general public should be received within 30 days of the publication of this rule.

The new rule is proposed under Texas Government Code, §§499.102, 499.104, and 499.105.

Cross Reference to Statutes: Texas Government Code, §§499.103, 499.106, 499.107.

§152.33Addition to the Estes Unit Capacity.

At the Estes Unit, an additional 40 beds shall increase the capacity to 1,040.

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 May 25, 2007.

TRD-200702087

Melinda Hoyle Bozarth

General Counsel

Texas Department of Criminal Justice

Earliest possible date of adoption: July 15, 2007

For further information, please call: (512) 463-0422


37 TAC §152.35

The Texas Board of Criminal Justice (TBCJ) proposes a new rule, §152.35, Addition to the Bartlett State Jail Capacity.

The purpose of the rule is to provide notice of an increase to the capacity of the Bartlett State Jail.

Charles Marsh, Chief Financial Officer for the Texas Department of Criminal Justice, has determined that for the first five (5) years the rule will be in effect, enforcing or administering the rule will cost the agency $3,067,859.

Mr. Marsh has also determined that, for the first five (5) year period, there will not be an economic impact on persons required to comply with the rule. There will not be an effect on small or micro businesses. The anticipated public benefit, as a result of enforcing the rule, will be to increase capacity at correctional facilities.

Comments should be directed to Melinda Hoyle Bozarth, General Counsel, Texas Department of Criminal Justice, P.O. Box 13084, Austin, Texas 78711, Melinda.Bozarth@tdcj.state.tx.us. Written comments from the general public should be received within 30 days of the publication of this rule.

The new rule is proposed under Texas Government Code, §§499.102, 499.104, and 499.105.

Cross Reference to Statutes: Texas Government Code, §§499.103, 499.106, 499.107.

§152.35.Addition to the Bartlett State Jail Capacity.

At the Bartlett State Jail, an additional 48 beds shall increase the capacity to 1,049.

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 May 25, 2007.

TRD-200702088

Melinda Hoyle Bozarth

General Counsel

Texas Department of Criminal Justice

Earliest possible date of adoption: July 15, 2007

For further information, please call: (512) 463-0422


Chapter 163. COMMUNITY JUSTICE ASSISTANCE DIVISION STANDARDS

37 TAC §163.35

The Texas Board of Criminal Justice (TBCJ) proposes amendments to §163.35, Supervision. The proposed amendments are necessary to add clarity.

Charles Marsh, Chief Financial Officer for the Texas Department of Criminal Justice (TDCJ), has determined that for the first five (5) years the rule will be in effect, enforcing or administering the rule will not have foreseeable implications related to costs or revenues for state or local government.

Mr. Marsh has also determined that, for the first five (5) year period, there will not be an economic impact on persons required to comply with the rule. There will not be an effect on small or micro businesses. The anticipated public benefit, as a result of enforcing the rule, will be to ensure the proper supervision of offenders on community supervision.

Comments should be directed to Melinda Hoyle Bozarth, General Counsel, Texas Department of Criminal Justice, P.O. Box 13084, Austin, Texas 78711, Melinda.Bozarth@tdcj.state.tx.us. Written comments from the general public should be received within 30 days of the publication of this rule.

The amendments are proposed under Texas Government Code, §509.003.

Cross Reference to Statutes: Texas Government Code, §509.003.

§163.35.Supervision.

(a) Definitions. The following words and terms, when used in this section, shall be defined as follows and apply to both felonies and misdemeanors, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

(1) Case-An offender assigned to a community supervision officer (CSO) [ CSO ] for supervision.

(2) Direct Supervision-Offenders who are legally on community supervision and who work or reside in the jurisdiction in which they are being supervised and receive a minimum of one (1) face-to-face contact with a CSO every three (3) months. Direct supervision begins at the time of initial face-to-face contact with an eligible CSO. Local Community Supervision and Corrections Departments (CSCDs) [ CSCDs ] may maintain direct supervision of offenders living and/or working in adjoining jurisdictions if the CSCD has documented approval from the adjoining jurisdictions.

(3) Face-to-face Contact-A CSO communicates in person with the offender.

(4) Field Visit-A CSO communicates in person with the offender at the offender's place of residence or at another location outside the CSCD office.

(5) Indirect Supervision-Maintenance of a file and/or record of an offender under supervision who meets one (1) of the following criteria:

(A) an offender who neither resides nor works within the jurisdiction of the CSCD and who receives the supervision in other jurisdictions;

(B) an offender who neither resides nor works within the jurisdiction but continues to submit written reports on a monthly basis because the offender [ he ] is ineligible or unacceptable for supervision in another jurisdiction;

(C) an offender who has absconded or who has not contacted the [ his ] CSO in person within three (3) months;

(D) an offender who resides or works in the jurisdiction, but who, while in compliance with the orders of the court, [ nevertheless ] does not meet the criteria for direct supervision; or

(E) an offender [ offenders ] who resides [ reside ] and works [ work ] outside the jurisdiction but reports [ report ] in person and who does [ do ] not fall under paragraph (2) of this subsection.

(b) System of Offender Supervision. The CSCD directors shall develop a system of offender supervision that is based upon, but not limited to:

(1) the jurisdiction's profile of revoked offenders;

(2) the jurisdiction's profile of offenders under direct community supervision;

(3) the offender's identified risk and needs;

(4) availability of sanctions, programs, services [ , ] and community resources;

(5) applicable law and Texas Department of Criminal Justice- Community Justice Assistance Division (TDCJ-CJAD) [ TDCJ-CJAD ] standards and policies [ policy ]; and

(6) policies of the local judiciary.

(c) Supervision Process. CSOs shall provide direct supervision for cases to include, but not be limited to, the following tasks ; [ . ]

(1) Orientation/Intake. An orientation/intake session with the offender shall be conducted after the court has placed the offender [ defendant ] under supervision. This session shall include a thorough discussion of the conditions of community supervision and terms of release. The CSO shall determine that the offender has received a copy of the conditions of community supervision or terms of release ordered by the court as provided by law.

(2) Assessments. An assessment process that gathers relevant and valid information shall be completed on every offender. This process shall specifically address the offender's risk factors, need areas, obstacles to meeting those needs, offender strengths[ , ] and offender resources. The CSO shall request specialized assessments for offenders when it is determined that alcohol or drug abuse contributed to the offense and pursue specialized evaluations when they would significantly assist in the development of appropriate supervision plans for special needs offenders.

(3) Case Classification. Within two (2) months of the date of community supervision placement, acceptance of a transfer case[ , ] or discharge from any residential facility, jail [ , ] or institution, the CSO shall complete an approved TDCJ-CJAD case classification instrument to assist in the evaluation of the degree of supervision needed by each individual based on the offender's risk and/or needs. Within ten (10) working days of the date of an offender's admission to a Community Corrections Facility (CCF), the CSO assigned to supervise the offender in the facility shall complete the TDCJ-CJAD case classification/assessment instrument.

(4) Strategies for Case Supervision (SCS) Assessments. Within two (2) months of the date of community supervision placement, acceptance of a transfer case[ , ] or discharge from any residential facility, jail[ , ] or institution, the CSO shall conduct a SCS assessment on each felony offender classified as maximum on case classification, unless a SCS was previously completed. While the SCS assessment may be a useful case management tool, it is not required for offenders during participation in residential programs.

(5) Case Supervision or Treatment Plan. Within two (2) months of the date of the most recent community supervision placement, acceptance of a transfer case[ , ] or discharge from any residential facility, the CSO shall develop a written individualized case supervision or treatment plan based on the offender's risk and need factors to address specific problem areas and assist the offender to achieve responsible behavior. The supervision or treatment plan shall be completed within ten (10) working days from the date of an offender's admission to a CCF.

(6) Reassessments. CSOs shall reevaluate risk and need factors and supervision plans at least every 12 months for all direct cases. An approved TDCJ-CJAD reassessment shall be completed any time a significant change occurs in the status of the offender. Any necessary modification of the supervision plan shall be indicated in writing in the case file. Upon discharge from a residential facility, the CSO assigned to supervise the offender in the facility shall complete a discharge plan.

(7) Supervision Contacts. CSOs shall make face-to-face, field visit, telephone[ , ] and collateral contacts with the offender, family, community resources[ , ] or other persons pursuant to and consistent with a supervision plan and the level of supervision on which the offender is being supervised. Each CSCD director shall establish supervision contact and casework standards at a level appropriate for that jurisdiction, but in all cases, offenders at increased levels of supervision because of assessments of greater risk or special needs shall receive a higher level of contacts than offenders at lower levels of supervision. The nature and extent for supervision contacts with offenders shall be specified in the CSCD's written policies and procedures.

(8) Documentation in Supervision Case Files. CSOs shall use a problem oriented record keeping system to document all significant actions, decisions, services rendered[ , ] and periodic evaluations in the offender's case file, including, but not limited to, the offender's status regarding the level of supervision, compliance with the conditions of community supervision, progress with the supervision plan[ , ] and responses to intervention.

(9) Violations. CSCD directors shall work in conjunction with the local judiciary to specify written policies and procedures under Texas Code of Criminal Procedure, art . 42.12, §10 wherein the CSOs may make recommendations to the courts regarding violations of conditions of community supervision, as well as when violations may be handled administratively. The availability of progressive interventions and [ the continuum of ] sanctions as [ or ] alternatives [ alternative ] to incarceration and incentives shall be considered by the CSO and recommended to the court in eligible cases as determined appropriate by the jurisdiction.

(10) Intrastate Transfers. The standards strive to ensure public safety by recognizing the need of the sending and receiving jurisdictions to continue control and supervision over these offenders.

(A) Except in cases of non-CSCD residential facility placements, supervision shall be transferred if an offender meeting the definition of direct supervision will be in another jurisdiction for more than 30 days, except when the designated representatives of the two (2) CSCDs agree there is good cause for the original jurisdiction to maintain supervision. Only the court retaining jurisdiction over an offender [ a defendant ] has the authority to modify or alter a condition of community supervision. The CSCD directors shall ensure that CSOs [ community supervision officers ] providing direct supervision to offenders transferred from other Texas jurisdictions shall fully enforce the order of the court that placed an individual on community supervision. It is the responsibility of the offender to comply with the conditions of community supervision as imposed by the court. The CSCD directors shall ensure that CSOs [ community supervision officers ] provide the same level of supervision to courtesy cases as they do for the offenders in their jurisdiction. The documents necessary for transfer shall include, [ only ] the transfer form, the court order placing the offender [ person ] on community supervision citing all conditions of community supervision, the offense report, criminal history, state identification (SID) and/or personal identifier (PID) [ TRN and SID ]number (within 90 days of transfer to the receiving jurisdiction), the pre/post-sentence investigation report where legally mandated[ , ] and any assessments that have been completed. The CSCD directors who decline or cease to provide courtesy supervision to offenders from other jurisdictions shall immediately notify, in writing, the original jurisdiction of the reasons for declining or closing supervision.

(B) Dual Supervision: The court retaining jurisdiction over an offender [ a defendant ] may also order the offender [ defendant ] to report to the original jurisdiction as well as the jurisdiction where offender [ defendant ] resides and/or works.

(11) Transporting Offenders. CSOs shall not transport offenders held in a county jail pursuant to an arrest warrant. All other transportation of offenders shall be in accordance with the CSCD's policies and/or pursuant to a court order.

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 May 25, 2007.

TRD-200702092

Melinda Hoyle Bozarth

General Counsel

Texas Department of Criminal Justice

Earliest possible date of adoption: July 15, 2007

For further information, please call: (512) 463-0422


37 TAC §163.42

The Texas Board of Criminal Justice (TBCJ) proposes amendments to §163.42, Substantial Noncompliance. The proposed amendments are necessary to clarify and revise the definition of substantial noncompliance as it applies to the Texas Department of Criminal Justice-Community Justice Assistance Division (TDCJ-CJAD) standards.

Charles Marsh, Chief Financial Officer for the Texas Department of Criminal Justice, has determined that for the first five (5) years the rule will be in effect, enforcing or administering the rule will not have foreseeable implications related to costs or revenues for state or local government.

Mr. Marsh has also determined that, for the first five (5) year period, there will not be an economic impact on persons required to comply with the rule. There will not be an effect on small or micro businesses. The anticipated public benefit, as a result of enforcing the rule, will be to increase accountability of the Community Supervision and Corrections Departments.

Comments should be directed to Melinda Hoyle Bozarth, General Counsel, Texas Department of Criminal Justice, P.O. Box 13084, Austin, Texas 78711, Melinda.Bozarth@tdcj.state.tx.us. Written comments from the general public should be received within 30 days of the publication of this rule.

The amendments are proposed under Texas Government Code, §509.012.

Cross Reference to Statutes: Texas Government Code, §509.003 through 509.006; Texas Government Code, Chapter 551 and Texas Local Government Code §140.004.

§163.42.Substantial Noncompliance.

(a) Definition. Substantial noncompliance with the Texas Department of Criminal Justice-Community Justice Assistance Division (TDCJ-CJAD) [ TDCJ-CJAD ] standards, for purposes of Texas Government Code §509.012, is defined as:

(1) intentional diversion, theft or misapplication of TDCJ-CJAD funding or grants for purposes other than the state funding award or allocation;

(2) violations of laws, regulations or official manuals specific to the operations of the Community Supervision and Corrections Departments (CSCDs) [ CSCDs ];

(3) intentional refusal to implement a TDCJ-CJAD approved action plan [ Action Plans ] that is [ are ] a result of audits, reviews[ , ] or inspections;

(4) for purposes of qualifying for state aid [ by complying with the Open Meetings Act ] under §163.43(a)(1)(F) of this title (relating to Funding and Financial Management) by [ , ] failing to hold the meeting to finalize the CSCD budget as required by Texas Local Government Code §140.004 and [ in compliance with ] the Texas Open Meetings Act; and

(5) interference, obstruction, or hindrance with any efforts by the State Comptroller, County Auditor of the county that manages the CSCD's funds, TDCJ-CJAD [ CJAD ], TDCJ-Internal Audit Division, Legislative Budget Board, Texas State Auditors Office or Texas Sunset Advisory Commission [ Criminal Justice Policy Council ], to examine or audit the records, transactions and performance of the [ subject ] CSCD or facilities.

(b) Imposing Sanctions. Sanctions imposed for substantial noncompliance shall be in accordance with provisions outlined in §163.47 of this title (relating to Contested Matters).

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 May 25, 2007.

TRD-200702093

Melinda Hoyle Bozarth

General Counsel

Texas Department of Criminal Justice

Earliest possible date of adoption: July 15, 2007

For further information, please call: (512) 463-0422