TITLE 37.PUBLIC SAFETY AND CORRECTIONS

Part 3. TEXAS YOUTH COMMISSION

Chapter 81. INTERACTION WITH THE PUBLIC

37 TAC §81.34

The Texas Youth Commission (TYC) proposes an amendment to §81.34, concerning Notice of Youth's Confession of Child Abuse. The amendment to the section will reflect the updated title of §93.33 Alleged Abuse, Neglect, and Exploitation. References to the Department of Protective and Regulatory services will also be updated to reflect its new name, Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS).

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 the use 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 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 establish rules appropriate to the proper accomplishment of its functions.

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

§81.34.Notice of Youth Confessions [ Youth's Confession ] of Child Abuse.

(a) Purpose. The purpose of this rule is to provide guidelines according to the Texas Family Code (TFC), chapter 261, Subchapter B, for Texas Youth Commission (TYC) supervisors [ supervisor ] to report information given to them by TYC staff members or volunteers regarding TYC youth confessing, while in any TYC operated facility or contract care program, to abusing or neglecting a child or children some time in the past when they were not in a TYC operated facility or contract care program.

(b) Applicability. This rule does not apply to reporting suspected abuse or neglect of youth in TYC programs. See (GAP) §93.33[ (d) ] of this title ( relating to Alleged Abuse, Neglect and Exploitation [ Alleged Mistreatment ]). See Chapter 261, Subchapter B, Family Code, for reporting confessions of TYC youth who are released under TYC supervision that they abused or neglected children when they were not in a TYC operated facility or contract care program. Such reports must be made within 48 hours to the Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS) [ Department of Protective and Regulatory Services (DPRS) ] or to a state or local law enforcement agency.

(c) Reporting.

(1) A TYC staff member or volunteer who has cause to believe, based on information provided by a youth in a TYC operated facility or contract care program, that the youth is responsible for abusing or neglecting a child or children some time in the past when the youth was not in a TYC operated facility or contract care program, must report that information, not later than the 48 hours after the staff member first receives it, to DFPS [ DPRS ], to a state or local law enforcement agency, or to the person's appropriate TYC supervisor.

(2) A report does not need to be made if it is determined from existing documentation that the youth's statement:

(A) has already been referred to DFPS [ DPRS ] or a law enforcement agency by an agency supervisor and the new report includes no new information;

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

(d) Referral of Report for Investigation.

(1) If the victim in a report made pursuant to subsection (c) is a member of the youth's same household, the appropriate TYC supervisor receiving the report shall refer it immediately to DFPS [ DPRS ] or to the appropriate state or local law enforcement agency for investigation if:

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

(2) If the victim in a report made pursuant to subsection (c) is not a member of the youth's same household and the youth is considered a high risk, the appropriate TYC supervisor receiving the report shall refer it immediately to DFPS [ DPRS ] or to the appropriate state or local law enforcement agency for investigation if:

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

(3) (No change.)

(e) Content of Referred Report. A report referred to DFPS [ DPRS ] or to an appropriate state or local law enforcement agency pursuant to subsection (d) shall include the most accurate and detailed information possible at the time the report is made. Whenever possible, a first-hand account should be provided directly by the person to whom the youth confessed.

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 March 3, 2004.

TRD-200401696

Dwight Harris

Executive Director

Texas Youth Commission

Earliest possible date of adoption: April 18, 2004

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


Chapter 85. ADMISSION AND PLACEMENT

Subchapter B. PLACEMENT PLANNING

37 TAC §85.23

The Texas Youth Commission (TYC) proposes an amendment to §85.23, concerning Classification. The amendment to the section revises one of the Type B - Violent Offender classifying offenses to be consistent with TYC rule violations. The TYC Category I rule violation known as "chunking bodily fluids," which can be found in §95.3, is now included in the list of offenses classified as Type B - Violent. The amendment also updates the listing of sentenced offender classifying offenses to include manslaughter and intoxication manslaughter pursuant to Family Code §53.045, as amended by the 77th Texas Legislature.

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 use accurate, clear and current policy among TYC facilities. 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, or email to deanna.lloyd@tyc.state.tx.us.

The amendment is proposed under the Human Resources Code, §61.075, which provides the Texas Youth Commission with the authority to modify any order of the commission affecting a child, except an order of final discharge, as often as conditions indicate.

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

§85.23.Classification.

(a) (No change.)

(b) Explanation of Terms Used.

(1) (No change.)

(2) Classifying Offense - the offense on which classification is based. It is the most serious of the relevant offenses documented in the youth's record. Relevant offenses are:

(A) (No change.)

(B) following a Level [ level ] I hearing, the offense(s) found at the hearing except when the hearing is for a youth classified as a sentenced offender, in which case, the youth's classification continues to be sentenced offender.

(3)-(5) (No change.)

(c) (No change.)

(d) Classifications.

(1) Sentenced Offender. A sentenced offender is a youth committed to TYC pursuant to §54.04(d)(3) or §54.05(f) Family Code for offenses committed:

(A)-(C) (No change.)

(D) on or after September 1, 2001, for an offense listed in subsection (d)(1)(A), (d)(1)(B), or (d)(1)(C) of this section or:

(i) manslaughter, 19.04, second degree felony only

(ii) intoxication manslaughter, 49.08, second degree felony only

(2) (No change.)

(3) Type B - Violent Offender. A type B violent offender is a youth whose classifying offense is the commission, attempted commission, conspiracy to commit, solicitation, solicitation of a minor to commit, or engaging in organized criminal activity to commit one of the offenses listed in this paragraph and who has not been sentenced to commitment in TYC. TYC adopts the Texas Penal Code definition (Title 5) for each offense [ listed in (A-V) of this subsection ] in its entirety except where TYC policy limits the applicability to the specific subsections or under the conditions named.

(A)-(P) (No change.)

[ (Q) harassment by persons in secure correctional facilities, 22.11, all ]

(Q) [ (R) ] coercing, soliciting or inducing gang membership, 22.015, felony only

(R) [ (S) ] arson, 28.02, all

(S) [ (T) ] robbery, 29.02, all

(T) [ (U) ] aggravated robbery, 29.03, all

(U) [ (V) ] burglary, 30.02, only with intent to commit any other type A or type B violent offense

(V) [ (W) ] intoxication assault, 49.07, all

(W) [ (X) ] intoxication manslaughter, 49.08, all

(X) [ (Y) ] intentionally participating with at least two (2) other persons in conduct at a contract program or TYC operated facility that threatens imminent harm to persons or property and substantially obstructs the performance of facility operations or a program therein.

(Y) [ (Z) ] intentionally, knowingly, or recklessly causing bodily injury to a:

(i) TYC employee;

(ii) contract program employee;

(iii) volunteer; or

(iv) person who is providing contract services at a contract program or TYC operated facility.

(Z) intentionally causing a person to come into contact with the blood, seminal fluid, vaginal fluid, urine, and/or feces of another with the intent to harass, alarm or annoy.

(4)-(8) (No change.)

(e) (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 March 3, 2004.

TRD-200401697

Dwight Harris

Executive Director

Texas Youth Commission

Earliest possible date of adoption: April 18, 2004

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


37 TAC §85.61

The Texas Youth Commission (TYC) proposes an amendment to §85.61, concerning Discharge/Transfer of Custody. The amendment to the section will clarify the circumstances under which a youth with a mental illness or mental retardation may be discharged from the custody of TYC without completing the agency's Resocialization program. Recent revisions to §87.79 provide that certain youth with mental disabilities, who have completed the minimum length of stay, may be referred for outpatient care to the Mental Health Authority (MHA) in the youth's home county. §85.61 will be amended to delete language that provided for discharge prior to completion of the Resocialization program only upon commitment to the Texas Department of Mental Health and Mental Retardation.

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 clear policy requirements and procedures for the discharge of youth with mental illness or mental retardation. 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, §61.075 Determination of Treatment, which provides the Texas Youth Commission with the authority to discharge a youth from its control when it is satisfied the discharge will best serve the youth's welfare and the protection of the public.

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

§85.61.Discharge/Transfer of Custody.

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

(e) Discharge Criteria.

(1) (No change.)

(2) Special Circumstances.

(A) Youth of any classification except sentenced offenders shall be discharged under the following circumstances:

(i)-(ii) (No change.)

[ (iii) commitment to Texas Department of Mental Health and Mental Retardation when the minimum length of stay has been completed; ]

(iii) [ (iv) ] enlistment in the military;

(iv) [ (v) ] closing of records following a youth's death or recommitment;

(v) [ (vi) ] discharge by the executive director or his designee for any other reason, such as an illness or injury which prevents a youth's return to active program participation;

(vi) [ (vii) ] youth who have completed length of stay requirements and who are unable to progress in the agency's rehabilitation programs because of mental illness or mental retardation as specified in (GAP) §87.79 of this title (relating to Discharge of Mentally Ill and Mentally Retarded Youth).

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

(f)-(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 March 3, 2004.

TRD-200401698

Dwight Harris

Executive Director

Texas Youth Commission

Earliest possible date of adoption: April 18, 2004

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


Chapter 95. YOUTH DISCIPLINE

Subchapter B. DUE PROCESS HEARINGS PROCEDURES

37 TAC §95.51

The Texas Youth Commission (TYC) proposes an amendment to §95.51, concerning Level I Hearing Procedure. The amendment to the section will make several procedural updates to comply with recent legislation, as well as to certain address areas where current policy does not provide specific direction to staff. The amended section will provide procedures for issuing and enforcing witness subpoenas. Revisions to procedures governing the postponement of a hearing will establish that all parties shall present good cause to request a continuance. Updates to rules governing admission of evidence will allow certain affidavits, recorded oral statements, and documents received from other states via the Interstate Compact on Juveniles be deemed reliable and admissible.

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 compliance with state law, as well as the availability of clear, current policy for staff, youth, and counsel. 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, §61.075, which provides the Texas Youth Commission with the authority to order a youth's confinement under conditions it believes best designed for the welfare of the youth and the interests of the public, and revoke or modify an order of the Commission, other than final discharge, as often as conditions indicate to be desirable.

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

§95.51.Level I Hearing Procedure.

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

(d) Procedure.

(1)-(12) (No change.)

(13) If defense counsel has not received at least ten (10) days notice of the items listed in subsection (d)(11) of this policy, and requests a continuance, the hearings examiner shall postpone the hearing. The hearings examiner may, upon his/her own motion or the good cause motion of any party, recess or continue the hearing for such periods of time as may be necessary. [ If requested by counsel, the hearings examiner shall postpone the hearing. The hearings examiner may grant a postponement for good cause at the request of any party. ]

(14) As soon as possible following receipt of the notice of hearing, and no later than the commencement of the hearing, counsel shall inform the staff representative of any witnesses he/she [ he ] wishes to call on behalf of the youth. The staff representative will, if necessary, assist counsel in contacting those witnesses and securing their attendance at the hearing.

(15) The staff representative shall provide counsel for the youth with reasonable access to all information concerning the youth, which is held by TYC. Counsel for the youth will respect the confidential nature of such information and will comply with reasonable requests to withhold sensitive information from the youth or the youth's [ his ] family.

(16) (No change.)

(17) The hearings examiner or designee may sign and issue a subpoena to compel the attendance of a witness at the hearing or the production of books, records, papers, or other objects. [ If necessary, the hearings examiner may direct that a subpoena be issued to compel the attendance of a witness at the hearing or the production of books, records, papers, or other objects. ]

(A) A peace officer, apprehension specialist, non-party parole officer or other TYC official shall serve a copy of the subpoena to the witness at least three (3) days prior to the date the witness is requested to appear. The subpoena may be served by hand delivery, certified mail or any other manner allowable in a court of original criminal jurisdiction. [ Motions for subpoenas shall be addressed to the hearings examiner and shall state the name and address of the witness or specify the books, records, papers, or other objects desired and the material and relevant facts to be proved by them. If the matter of testimony sought is relevant, material, and necessary and will not result in harassment or undue inconvenience or expense, the hearing examiner shall direct the issuance of a subpoena. ]

(B) A person who testifies falsely, fails to appear when subpoenaed, or fails or refuses to produce material under the subpoena is subject to the same orders and penalties to which a person taking those actions before a court is subject. [ Subpoenas shall be issued only after a showing of good cause and deposit of sums sufficient to insure payment of expenses incident to the subpoenas. Payment of witness fees shall be in the manner prescribed in the Administrative Procedure and Texas Register Act (Texas Civil Statutes Article 6252-13a, §14). ]

(18)-(22) (No change.)

(23) The hearings examiner may administer an oath. All witnesses shall take an oath to testify truthfully.

(24) With the exception of the youth and the staff representative , any person designated as a witness may be excluded from the hearing room during the testimony of other witnesses and may be instructed to refrain from discussing their testimony with anyone until all the witnesses have been dismissed.

(25) The hearings examiner may question each witness at his/her [ his ] discretion. Counsel for the youth and the staff representative shall be given an opportunity to question each witness.

(26) (No change.)

(27) The youth shall not be called as a witness unless, after consulting with counsel, the youth [ he or she ] waives his/her [ his ] right to remain silent on the record.

(A) The youth's failure to testify shall not create a presumption against him/her [ him ].

(B) A youth who waives his/her [ his ] right to remain silent may only be questioned concerning those issues addressed by the youth's [ his ] testimony.

(28)-(29) (No change.)

(30) The rules of evidence will generally be applicable to the fact-finding portion of the hearing . Unless specifically precluded by statute, evidence not admissible under those rules may be admitted if it is of a type commonly relied upon by reasonably prudent persons in the conduct of their affairs. Criminal exclusionary rules are not applicable in TYC hearings.

(31) Copies of due process hearing documents need not be certified if such document(s) are part of the youth's record(s) , or have been received through Interstate Compact. Such documents are considered reliable and admissible for all purposes .

(32)-(33) (No change.)

(34) Evidence otherwise admissible may be received in written form if so doing will expedite the hearing and will not significantly prejudice the rights or interests of the youth. This includes but is not limited to use of affidavits admitted to show the following:

(A) ownership and lack of consent;

(B) identity of signature on instrument and lack of consent of complaining witness in a forgery case;

(C) lack of permission to leave designated placement;

(D) chain of custody;

(E) identity of substance found in a urine sample;

(F) identity of a controlled substances found in possession of a youth.

(35) A youth's written statement concerning his/her [ his ] possible involvement in illegal activities is admissible if it is signed by the youth and accompanied by evidence indicating that the youth made the statement voluntarily after being advised of:

(A) the [ his ] right to remain silent;

(B) (No change.)

(C) the [ his ] right to consult with an attorney prior to giving the statement; and

(D) the [ his ] right to have an attorney provided if the youth [ for him if he ] is indigent.

(36) A youth's non-recorded oral statement is admissible only if it relates facts which would not have otherwise been discovered, are found to be true and which tend to establish the youth's involvement in illegal activities.

(37) A youth's recorded oral statement (tape recorded, videotaped, or otherwise electronically recorded) concerning his/her possible involvement in illegal activities is admissible if it is accompanied by evidence on the recording that it was given after the youth was advised of the rights in section (d)(35) of this policy. All voices on the recording must be identified and the recording must be accurate and unaltered. A transcript of the recordings is not sufficient.

(38) [ (37) ] The hearings examiner shall rule immediately on any motions or objections made in the course of the hearing. All such motions, objections, and rulings shall be included in the hearings examiner's written report.

[(38) The hearings examiner may, for good cause, recess or continue the hearing for such period(s) of time as may be necessary to insure an informed and accurate fact-finding.]

(39) Following the presentation of all evidence pertaining to the factual issues raised at the hearing, the hearings examiner shall announce his/her [ his ] findings as to those issues.

(A)-(C) (No change.)

(40) (No change.)

(41) Following announcement of the decision as to disposition, the hearings examiner shall inform the youth of the [ his ] right to appeal any or all findings and decision made at the hearing.

(42) Immediately following the close of the hearing, the hearings examiner shall give the youth a copy of the Hearing Examiner's Report of a Level I Hearing form [ , CCF-160 ].

(43)-(46) (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 March 3, 2004.

TRD-200401699

Dwight Harris

Executive Director

Texas Youth Commission

Earliest possible date of adoption: April 18, 2004

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