TITLE 37.PUBLIC SAFETY AND CORRECTIONS

Part 3. TEXAS YOUTH COMMISSION

Chapter 85. ADMISSION AND PLACEMENT

Subchapter A. COMMITMENT AND RECEPTION

37 TAC §85.3

The Texas Youth Commission (TYC) proposes an amendment to §85.3, concerning Admission Process. The amendment to the section reflects a terminology change relating to documentation used to track each youth's progress through TYC.

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 availability of clear, accurate, and current policy. 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 within 30 days of the publication of this notice to DeAnna Lloyd, Policy Coordinator, Texas Youth Commission, 4900 North Lamar, P.O. Box 4260, Austin, Texas 78765, or email to deanna.lloyd@tyc.state.tx.us.

The amendment is proposed under the Human Resources Code, §61.0364, which provides the Texas Youth Commission with the authority to make rules appropriate to the proper accomplishment of its functions.

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

§85.3.Admission Process.

(a) - (c) (No change.)

(d) Youth are not allowed to have personal possessions while at the assessment unit. Personal items are inventoried and returned to the county transporter. The transporter and youth are asked to sign an inventory/receipt for property items returned to the transporter's care. Items a youth may be allowed to keep are inventoried [ on the Personal Property and Clothing Inventory form, CCF-510, ] and a copy is given to the youth.

(e) Parents are notified:

(1) - (3) (No change.)

(4) that TYC will use chemical agents as necessary to control conduct if certain behavior criteria are [ is ] met.

(f) (No change.)

(g) Routine admission procedures include, but are not limited to the following : [ . ]

(1) - (6) (No change.)

(7) Each youth may be photographed and fingerprinted. The photograph and fingerprints are filed in the youth's casework subfile [ masterfile ].

(8) - (10) (No change.)

(h) - (j) (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 13, 2004.

TRD-200401014

Dwight Harris

Executive Director

Texas Youth Commission

Earliest possible date of adoption: March 28, 2004

For further information, please call: (512) 424-6014


Subchapter B. PLACEMENT PLANNING

37 TAC §85.43, §85.45

The Texas Youth Commission (TYC) proposes amendments to §85.43, concerning Home Placement, and §85.45, concerning Parole of Undocumented Foreign Nationals. The amendment §85.43 revises the schedule for the follow-up home placement assessment for youth classified as Type A-Violent to be tied more closely to the youth's progress through TYC. Terminology changes are also made. The amendment to §85.45 replaces references to the U.S. Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS) with the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Agency (ICE).

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

Mr. McCullough also has determined that for each year of the first five years the sections are in effect the public benefit anticipated as a result of enforcing the sections will be the availability of clear, accurate, and current policy. There will be no effect on small businesses. There is no anticipated economic cost to persons who are required to comply with the sections as proposed. No private real property rights are affected by adoption of these rules.

Comments on the proposal may be submitted within 30 days of the publication of this notice to DeAnna Lloyd, Policy Coordinator, Texas Youth Commission, 4900 North Lamar, P.O. Box 4260, Austin, Texas 78765, or email to deanna.lloyd@tyc.state.tx.us.

The amendments are proposed under the Human Resources Code, §61.034, which provides the Texas Youth Commission with the authority to make rules appropriate to the proper accomplishment of its functions.

The proposed rules affect the Human Resources Code, §61.034.

§85.43.Home Placement.

(a) Purpose. The purpose of this rule is to establish criteria and procedures used by Texas Youth Commission (TYC) staff to determine whether a youth in TYC jurisdiction will be allowed to return to his/her home on completion of program requirements or whether alternative living arrangements must be sought.

(b) - (c) (No change.)

(d) Home Placement Assessment.

(1) The assigned parole officer shall assess the home of each youth in his/her [ their ] jurisdiction and shall determine whether the home is approved or disapproved for placement. The assigned parole officer will also determine whether the youth will be returned to his/her home upon release from residential placement. Each home assessment will be completed in the home of the youth's legal parent(s), guardian, or relative who has volunteered to have the youth placed in his/her home. The home assessment process is also applicable to all youth properly referred to parole officers through the Texas Interstate Compact on Juveniles (ICJ) Office.

(2) Within 90 days of admission to TYC, all homes shall be either approved or disapproved as a result of a completed home placement assessment.

(3) The home placement assessment status may be changed but only as a result of a follow-up home placement assessment by the assigned parole officer.

(4) A completed home placement assessment shall be considered current for any youth released to his/her home within 12 months of the first day counted on the minimum length of stay. Home placement assessment follow-ups will be conducted annually thereafter.

(5) For Type A violent [ Violent A ] offenders who have a minimum length of stay of 24 months, the follow-up home assessment is to be conducted within 45 days after completion of phase A2B2C3 [ no later than 90 days from the minimum length of stay release date, ] and be incorporated into the transition [ formal release ] plan.

(6) Any time new evidence or special circumstances warrant, a follow-up home placement assessment may be conducted.

(e) Home Approval/Disapproval Criteria. A youth's home shall be considered approved unless one or more of the following disapproval criteria exists, and can be documented:

(1) - (6) (No change.)

(7) the youth is an undocumented foreign national and a copy of the notice from TYC to the Immigration and Customs Enforcement Agency (ICE) [ Naturalization Service (INS) ] has not been received by the parole officer as outlined in (GAP) §85.45 of this title (relating to Parole of Undocumented Foreign Nationals).

(f) (No change.)

§85.45.Parole of Undocumented Foreign Nationals.

(a) Purpose. The purpose of this rule is to establish a procedure whereby Texas Youth Commission (TYC) works with the United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) [ Naturalization Service (INS) ] for parole release of youth who are undocumented foreign nationals. No youth who are undocumented foreign nationals shall be detained in a secure facility for the sole purpose of deportation.

(b) (No change.)

(c) Explanation of Terms Used. Undocumented Foreign Nationals - youth who do not have legal residence in the United States as determined by the ICE [ INS ].

(d) All residential programs are required to notify the ICE [ INS ] of the presence of an undocumented foreign national youth at the facility.

(e) Undocumented foreign nationals will not be placed in a minimum restriction parole location (home or home substitute) until a copy of the referral letter from the residential program to ICE [ INS ] is received by the assigned parole officer.

(f) In anticipation of completion of required release criteria and not less than 45 days prior to anticipated release, the releasing authority shall inform ICE [ INS ] of the pending release of any undocumented foreign national youth and request a residency and deportation status determination within 15 days of receipt of notification. Forty-five (45) days before parole release the TYC staff of the releasing program shall:

(1) (No change.)

(2) send to the ICE [ INS ] in the region, written notice of the release date, request for confirmation of the date and of transportation within 15 days of receipt of notification, and request that ICE [ INS ] meet with the youth prior to the date and send a copy of the notice to the assigned parole officer;

(3) - (4) (No change.)

(g) On the day of parole release, ICE [ INS ] is responsible for transporting the youth to a port of entry.

(h) If the release of a youth is canceled for any reason, the releasing program shall immediately notify ICE [ INS ], parole officer, and other affected parties.

(i) If the youth is not deported by ICE [ INS ] or if ICE [ INS ] fails to confirm the transportation date at least 30 days prior to expected release, the parole office and institutional placement coordinator will proceed with placement options.

(j) (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 13, 2004.

TRD-200401015

Dwight Harris

Executive Director

Texas Youth Commission

Earliest possible date of adoption: March 28, 2004

For further information, please call: (512) 424-6014


Chapter 87. TREATMENT

Subchapter A. PROGRAM PLANNING

37 TAC §87.1

The Texas Youth Commission (TYC) proposes an amendment to §87.1, concerning Case Planning. The amendment to the section will establish that the Individual Case Plan will be updated and reviewed monthly, include adaptations for youth with identified special needs, and include a plan for transitioning the youth back into the community. Definitions of certain terms are also revised.

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 to facilitate individualized case management for each youth, based on the youth's need for services, to the extent possible within agency resources. 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 within 30 days of the publication of this notice to DeAnna Lloyd, Policy Coordinator, Texas Youth Commission, 4900 North Lamar, P.O. Box 4260, Austin, Texas 78765, or email to deanna.lloyd@tyc.state.tx.us.

The amendment is proposed under the Human Resources Code, §61.076, which provides the Texas Youth Commission with the authority to require youth committed to its care to participate in moral, academic, vocational, physical, and correctional training and activities, and §61.034, which provides the Commission with the authority to make rules appropriate to the proper accomplishment of its functions.

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

§87.1.Case Planning.

(a) Purpose. The purpose of this rule is to ensure the case management of each youth is individualized to the extent possible and is based on the youth's need for services. Youth needs are identified and corresponding long-term and short-term objectives are developed within the agency's resources to facilitate the youth's progress in the Resocialization program . The resulting case plan is reviewed regularly and revised when necessary.

(b) Definitions.

(1) Case Management Standards (CMS) [ System ]-- the [ The ] standardized process used throughout the Texas Youth Commission (TYC) to ensure that each youth receives fair and appropriate attention and that each youth experiences treatment based on individually identified needs and strengths and that each youth is transitioned to the community in a timely manner .

(2) Individual Case Plan (ICP)-- the [ The ] individualized plan for each youth that assesses a youth's needs and strengths, identifies objectives with specific strategies to address both needs and strengths, identifies a transition plan to the community and is reviewed and adjusted as the youth progresses or as new needs are identified. [ A document by the same title is used to record and maintain the plan. ]

(3) Primary Service Worker (PSW)-- the [ The ] generic title given to persons at each TYC program who are assigned the primary responsibility for the case work for individual youth and for the administration of the case management standards [ system ]. The three (3) types of PSW are:

(A) Institutional Primary Service Worker (PSW)--person assigned the primary responsibility for casework and administration of the case management standards in a high restriction TYC operated facility or contract placement.

(B) Transitional Primary Service Worker (PSW)--person assigned the primary responsibility for casework and administration of the case management standards in a TYC operated halfway house or a medium restriction residential contract facility.

(C) Parole Officer--person assigned the primary responsibility for casework and administration of the case management standards for youth on parole in the community.

(4) Phase Assessment Team (PAT)--a team of staff consisting of the PSW, an educator and the juvenile correctional officer supervisor to facilitate, assess and document each youth's progress through the Resocialization program.

(c) Case Planning.

(1) An ICP will be developed with and for each youth by the PSW. The plan will be [ periodically ] updated monthly . The plan will be developed in accordance with the Resocialization [ resocialization ] program and identified needs and strengths and must specify measurable objectives, expected outcomes and a means to evaluate progress. See (GAP) §87.3 of this title (relating to Resocialization Program).

(2) The ICP will be developed with adaptations and modifications for youth identified with specialized needs to facilitate youth progress through the Resocialization program.

(3) Case planning will be initiated during the assessment process.

(4) The ICP development shall include a review of youth progress and monthly objectives and shall be developed with the youth and family when possible.

[ (d) The ICP will be initiated during the assessment process.]

[ (e) the ICP development shall include long and short-term objectives and shall be developed with the youth and family when possible.]

[ (f) Objectives must be written so that they may be achieved within a period of time no longer than the required minimum length of stay or the expected length of stay at each program.]

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 13, 2004.

TRD-200401016

Dwight Harris

Executive Director

Texas Youth Commission

Earliest possible date of adoption: March 28, 2004

For further information, please call: (512) 424-6014


Subchapter B. SPECIAL NEEDS OFFENDER PROGRAMS

37 TAC §§87.87, 87.89, 87.91

The Texas Youth Commission (TYC) proposes amendments to §87.87, concerning Sex Offender Risk Assessment, §87.89, concerning Use of Clinical Polygraph in the Sex Offender Treatment Program, and §87.91, concerning Family Reintegration of Sex Offenders.

The amendments to the sections reflect the updated name of the Sexual Behavior Treatment Program (SBTP). The amendment to §87.87 also includes a terminology change relating to documentation used to track each youth's progress through TYC.

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

Mr. McCullough also has determined that for each year of the first five years the sections are in effect, the public benefit anticipated as a result of enforcing the sections will be the availability of clear, accurate, and current policy. There will be no effect on small businesses. There is no anticipated economic cost to persons who are required to comply with the sections as proposed. No private real property rights are affected by adoption of these rules.

Comments on the proposal may be submitted within 30 days of the publication of this notice to DeAnna Lloyd, Policy Coordinator, Texas Youth Commission, 4900 North Lamar, P.O. Box 4260, Austin, Texas 78765, or email to deanna.lloyd@tyc.state.tx.us.

The amendments are proposed under the Human Resources Code, §61.034, which provides the Texas Youth Commission with the authority to make rules appropriate to the proper accomplishment of its functions.

The proposed rules affect the Human Resources Code, §61.034.

§87.87.Sex Offender Risk Assessment.

(a) - (f) (No change.)

(g) Override Procedures.

(1) (No change.)

(2) The central office override committee will review youth when one of the following applies:

(A) (No change.)

(B) Youth having a score of four (4) or above on the Static-99 or a six (6) and above on the JSORAI after successfully completing a TYC sexual behavior [ sex offender ] treatment program.

(C) (No change.)

(3) (No change.)

(4) Documentation.

(A) The central office override committee will document all decisions and the criteria used for each override on the appropriate TYC [ child care ] forms.

(B) - (D) (No change.)

(E) The PSW at the referring facility will ensure that the decision is filed in the appropriate section of the youth's casework subfile [ masterfile ].

§87.89.Use of Clinical Polygraph in the Sexual Behavior [ Sex Offender ] Treatment Program.

(a) The purpose of this rule is to provide clinical oversight for use of the clinical polygraph in the treatment of sex offenders.

(b) The Texas Youth Commission approves the use of a polygraph for certain selected youth involved in treatment in the agency's approved Sexual Behavior Treatment Program (SBTP) [ Sex Offender Treatment Program (SOTP) ]. Use of the clinical polygraph is strictly controlled and must be approved in each instance by qualified clinical professionals.

(c) (No change.)

(d) A youth may be considered a candidate for a polygraph if the youth:

(1) (No change.)

(2) has been admitted to the SBTP [ sex offender treatment program ] and has completed the initial SBTP [ SOPT ] evaluation; and

(3) (No change.)

(e) (No change.)

§87.91.Family Reintegration of Sex Offenders.

(a) (No change.)

(b) Explanation of Terms Used.

(1) Family-- as [ As ] used herein, shall refer to the family members who live in the designated home placement, including the victim or potential victim(s).

(2) - (3) (No change.)

(c) Requirements for Family Reintegration.

(1) - (3) (No change.)

(4) The offender has demonstrated sufficient progress in treatment to be ready to return home as evidenced by completion of Phase 4 of the Resocialization Program and/or completion of the Sexual Behavior Treatment Program (SBTP) [ Sex Offender Treatment Program (SOTP) ].

(5) - (9) (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 13, 2004.

TRD-200401017

Dwight Harris

Executive Director

Texas Youth Commission

Earliest possible date of adoption: March 28, 2004

For further information, please call: (512) 424-6014


Chapter 91. PROGRAM SERVICES

Subchapter D. HEALTH CARE SERVICES

37 TAC §§91.83, 91.85, 91.97, 91.99

The Texas Youth Commission (TYC) proposes amendments to §91.83, concerning Criteria for Health Care, §91.85, concerning Medical Care, §91.97, concerning Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome/HIV, and §91.99, concerning Medical Admissions for Al Price State Juvenile Correctional Facility.

The amendment to §91.83 will establish that physicians and dentists responsible for providing care to TYC youth must be licensed to practice in Texas. The amendment to §91.85 will clarify the types of routine medical and dental examinations and treatment plans provided to TYC youth. The amendment to §91.97 reflects updated titles for certain health services staff. The amendment to §91.99 updates terminology relating to the documentation used by the treatment team to review a youth's progress in the program.

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

Mr. McCullough also has determined that for each year of the first five years the sections are in effect, the public benefit anticipated as a result of enforcing the section will be the availability of accurate, clear, and current policy. There will be no effect on small businesses. There is no anticipated economic cost to persons who are required to comply with the sections as proposed. No private real property rights are affected by adoption of these rules.

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, or email to deanna.lloyd@tyc.state.tx.us.

The amendments are proposed under the Human Resources Code, §61.034, which provides the Texas Youth Commission with the authority to establish rules appropriate to the proper accomplishment of its functions.

The proposed rules affect the Human Resources Code, §61.034.

§91.83.Criteria for Health Care.

(a) Purpose. The purpose of this rule is to establish the criteria for providing medical care to Texas Youth Commission (TYC) [ TYC ] youth while they are under TYC jurisdiction.

(b) Explanation of Terms Used.

(1) Responsible Physician--An individual licensed to practice medicine in Texas and provide [ and providing ] health services to the TYC youth population through a contractual arrangement.

(2) Responsible Dentist--An individual licensed to practice dentistry in Texas and provide [ and providing ] dentistry services to the TYC youth population through a contractual arrangement.

(c) - (f) (No change.)

§91.85.Medical Care.

(a) - (b) (No change.)

(c) Services.

(1) - (3) (No change.)

(4) All youth in residential care will receive a physical and dental screening and examination upon admission to TYC , and a health screening and dental examination annually thereafter [ and annually thereafter ].

(5) - (7) (No change.)

(d) General Procedural Requirements.

(1) Facility nurses will [ , for each TYC youth, ] develop an individual treatment plan for each TYC youth with chronic care or special medical needs [ medical plan, which documents current health status and availability of medical insurance ].

(2) - (5) (No change.)

(6) All efforts are made by TYC and contracted healthcare professionals to utilize third party reimbursement if available.

(7) (No change.)

(e) Limitation of Services.

(1) TYC is not responsible for medical costs incurred by youth:

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

(C) for injuries/illnesses sustained while on escape/abscond [ escape/abscondence ] status; or

(D) (No change.)

(2) Pharmaceutical, cosmetic, and medical experiments are prohibited. This policy does not preclude individual treatment of a youth based on the [ his or her ] need for a specific medical procedure which is not generally available.

(f) (No change.)

§91.97.Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome/HIV.

(a) - (b) (No change.)

(c) Testing.

(1) Routine screening and/or testing for the HIV antibody is prohibited by law unless it is to be performed as a blind study for statistical purposes initiated by the TYC medical director or health services administrator [ coordinator ] and with the approval of the executive director. There shall be no form of identifying information in the study.

(2) (No change.)

(3) HIV/AIDS testing may be done on youth under the following circumstances only:

(A) A youth signs a written consent form indicating his/her willingness to be tested voluntarily[ , Consent Form, HLS-755 ]; or

(B) - (C) (No change.)

(4) (No change.)

(5) Pre-test [ Pretest ] counseling regarding HIV/AIDS shall be provided prior to youth giving consent. Post-test [ Post test ] counseling is provided regarding the result.

(d) Confidentiality.

(1) Strict confidentiality shall be upheld regarding any HIV/AIDS testing or test results. All medical information, including information about HIV/AIDS infection, counseling, testing or test results is confidential and may not be released or disclosed except to facility physicians and nurses, the agency's medical director and health services administrator [ coordinator ].

(2) (No change.)

(e) - (h) (No change.)

(i) Education. TYC provides ongoing training regarding AIDS [ acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) ] to youth.

(1) - (3) (No change.)

(4) Education of youth includes basic information about:

(A) - (E) (No change.)

(F) potential HIV transmission behaviors [ behavior ] that are in violation of Texas criminal [ Criminal ] laws;

(G) - (L) (No change.)

§91.99.Medical Admissions for Al Price State Juvenile Correctional Facility.

(a) - (b) (No change.)

(c) Admissions.

(1) (No change.)

(2) Admission Process.

(A) Referrals. Youth may be placed at the MRD from the MOAU or may be referred from another facility. If referred from another facility, the action is considered an administrative transfer under (GAP) §85.29 of this title (relating to Program Completion and Movement Other Than Sentenced Offenders). Youth may contest such a transfer by filing a complaint under (GAP) §93.31 of this title (relating to Complaints Resolution System).

(i) A referral packet is completed and forwarded under the sending superintendent's signature to the MRD admissions review team at APSJCF.

(ii) (No change.)

(B) Emergency Referrals. If an emergency exists, staff may request of the APSJCF superintendent immediate placement in the MRD. The admission is subject to review and approval by the admission review team, which occurs within seven (7) days of the youth's arrival.

(d) Program Requirements.

(1) - (4) (No change.)

(5) The treatment team shall review the youth's progress on the ICP and Patient Summary [ IMP objectives ] at least every 30 days. The treatment team consists of the program administrator or designee, the director of nurses or designee, PSW, juvenile correctional officers (JCO) and designated education staff.

(e) Release and Transition Options.

(1) - (3) (No change.)

(4) If a youth has been assigned to the MRD as a transitional care youth, he/she [ he ] would be returned to his/her [ his ] original assigned facility.

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 13, 2004.

TRD-200401018

Dwight Harris

Executive Director

Texas Youth Commission

Earliest possible date of adoption: March 28, 2004

For further information, please call: (512) 424-6014


Chapter 99. GENERAL PROVISIONS

Subchapter A. YOUTH RECORDS

37 TAC §99.11

The Texas Youth Commission (TYC) proposes an amendment to §99.11, concerning Youth Masterfile Records. The amendment to the section will provide additional controls to ensure that only approved documents are placed in a youth's official record.

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 use of and resources and time related to filing and retaining documents. 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 within 30 days of the publication of this notice to DeAnna Lloyd, Policy Coordinator, Texas Youth Commission, 4900 North Lamar, P.O. Box 4260, Austin, Texas 78765, or email to deanna.lloyd@tyc.state.tx.us.

The amendment is proposed under the Human Resources Code, §61.034, which provides the Texas Youth Commission with the authority to make rules appropriate to the proper accomplishment of its functions.

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

§99.11.Youth Masterfile Records.

(a) Purpose. The purpose of this rule is to ensure that youth records contain [ establish a system for youth records containing ] accurate and complete records of commitment documents, assessment reports, and significant decisions and events regarding the youth.

(b) (No change.)

(c) Masterfile Description. The official record [ records ] maintained for each youth is called the masterfile. It physically consists of four (4) separate subfiles called the casework subfile, the education subfile, the security subfile, [ file folders called the security subfile, the incident subfile, the casework subfile, ] and the medical subfile.

(1) Only documents identified in the contents of each subfile of the masterfile may be filed in the subfile.

(2) Any proposed new or revised policies or operational procedures that include the filing of additional documents in a subfile of the masterfile must include submission of the filing proposal to the Data Integrity Task Force in central office for approval.

(3) See (GAP) §99.19 of this title for the retention schedule of the masterfile.

(d) Masterfile Confidentiality. Masterfile subfiles [ Files ] shall be stored and transported in a manner that ensures security and confidentiality.

(e) Masterfile Custody. Masterfile subfiles [ Youth masterfiles ] shall remain in the custody and control of authorized personnel at all times. Authorized personnel are Texas Youth Commission (TYC) staff or staff under contract with TYC to provide medical or parole services.

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 13, 2004.

TRD-200401019

Dwight Harris

Executive Director

Texas Youth Commission

Earliest possible date of adoption: March 28, 2004

For further information, please call: (512) 424-6014