By Allen H.B. No. 1256
76R2946 DAK-D
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
1-1 AN ACT
1-2 relating to the operation of the Texas Youth Commission industries
1-3 program.
1-4 BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
1-5 SECTION 1. Section 61.122, Human Resources Code, is amended
1-6 by amending Subsections (b) and (c) and adding Subsection (d) to
1-7 read as follows:
1-8 (b) Members serve staggered three-year terms, with the terms
1-9 of three members expiring February 1 of each [odd numbered] year.
1-10 (c) The advisory committee is composed of:
1-11 (1) one representative of organized labor;
1-12 (2) one representative of employers;
1-13 (3) one representative of groups advocating the rights
1-14 of victims of criminal offenses;
1-15 (4) one representative of groups advocating the rights
1-16 of children committed to the commission;
1-17 (5) one person experienced in the field of vocational
1-18 rehabilitation;
1-19 (6) one representative [In making appointments under
1-20 this section, the commission shall endeavor to include
1-21 representatives] of industries appropriate for hiring children
1-22 committed to the commission; and
1-23 (7) three public members.
1-24 (d) The following individuals shall serve as ex officio
2-1 members of the advisory committee:
2-2 (1) a member of the house of representatives
2-3 designated by the speaker of the house;
2-4 (2) a member of the senate designated by the
2-5 lieutenant governor;
2-6 (3) the executive director of the Texas Department of
2-7 Criminal Justice or the designee of the executive director;
2-8 (4) the executive director of the Texas Workforce
2-9 Commission or the designee of the executive director; and
2-10 (5) the executive director of the commission or the
2-11 designee of the executive director.
2-12 SECTION 2. Subchapter I, Chapter 61, Human Resources Code,
2-13 is amended by adding Section 61.1221 to read as follows:
2-14 Sec. 61.1221. PURPOSE AND DUTIES OF ADVISORY COMMITTEE. (a)
2-15 The purpose of the commission industries advisory committee is to:
2-16 (1) promote the rehabilitation of youth offenders by
2-17 helping them become successful members of society;
2-18 (2) enhance the transition of youth offenders back
2-19 into society and decrease the chance of recidivism by helping to
2-20 give youth offenders marketable skills, employment experience, and
2-21 an increased sense of confidence; and
2-22 (3) support the commission's prison industry
2-23 enhancement program by providing advice on the research and
2-24 development of employment programs within the commission's
2-25 facilities.
2-26 (b) The advisory committee shall:
2-27 (1) assist in the identification of prospective
3-1 private sector employers who might participate in the commission's
3-2 prison industries program and who are appropriate for hiring youth
3-3 committed to the commission;
3-4 (2) advise and assist in the development of a
3-5 commission prison industries marketing plan;
3-6 (3) provide input on any changes relating to state or
3-7 federal rules or regulations and practices affecting the
3-8 commission's prison industries program and its youth; and
3-9 (4) advise the commission on career and technology
3-10 education programs.
3-11 SECTION 3. Section 61.123, Human Resources Code, is amended
3-12 to read as follows:
3-13 Sec. 61.123. PAY AND DISTRIBUTION OF PAY. The commission
3-14 shall apportion wages earned by a child working under the
3-15 industries program in amounts determined at the discretion of the
3-16 commission, in the following priority:
3-17 (1) a person to whom the child has been ordered by a
3-18 court or to whom the child has agreed to pay restitution;
3-19 (2) a person to whom the child has been ordered by a
3-20 court to pay child support;
3-21 (3) the compensation to victims of crime fund or the
3-22 compensation to victims of crime auxiliary fund; [and]
3-23 (4) reimbursement to the commission of the child's
3-24 room and board expenses while residing at a facility of the
3-25 commission; and
3-26 (5) the child's student account.
3-27 SECTION 4. Section 171.681(2), Tax Code, is amended to read
4-1 as follows:
4-2 (2) "Eligible child" means a person who:
4-3 (A) is committed to the commission under Title
4-4 3, Family Code[, other than a commitment under a determinate
4-5 sentence under Section 54.04(d)(3), 54.04(m), or 54.05(f), Family
4-6 Code]; and
4-7 (B) resides at a facility of the commission.
4-8 SECTION 5. (a) This Act takes effect September 1, 1999.
4-9 (b) The changes to the appointment of members to the Texas
4-10 Youth Commission industries advisory committee made by Section
4-11 61.122(c), Human Resources Code, as amended by this Act, do not
4-12 require the removal of any present members of the committee and
4-13 apply only to appointments on the expiration of the terms of the
4-14 current members or the creation of a vacancy by other means.
4-15 (c) The appointment of ex officio members to the Texas Youth
4-16 Commission industries advisory committee as provided by Section
4-17 61.122(d), Human Resources Code, as added by this Act, is effective
4-18 on the effective date of this Act.
4-19 SECTION 6. The importance of this legislation and the
4-20 crowded condition of the calendars in both houses create an
4-21 emergency and an imperative public necessity that the
4-22 constitutional rule requiring bills to be read on three several
4-23 days in each house be suspended, and this rule is hereby suspended.