SRC-BWC S.B. 636 77(R)BILL ANALYSIS


Senate Research CenterS.B. 636
By: Armbrister
Criminal Justice
6/13/2001
Enrolled


DIGEST AND PURPOSE 

Currently, Texas prisoners with a serious mental illness are not receiving
adequate treatment, leading to longer prison time served, mental
deterioration, and, at the end of their sentence, the release of candidates
who are poorly suited for reintegration into society.  S.B. 636 requires a
cost-benefit analysis to be conducted for the potential use of the Texas
Medication Algorithm project in the treatment of person with mental illness
who are in the custody of the Texas Department of Criminal Justice. 

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

This bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a
state officer, institution, or agency. 

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1.  Requires the Texas Department of Criminal Justice (department),
not later than May 1, 2002, to conduct a cost-benefit analysis of the
potential use of the Texas Medication Algorithm project, as developed by
the Department of Mental Health and Mental Retardation (TXMHMR), to treat
persons with mental illness in the custody of the department.  Requires the
Texas Youth Commission (commission), not later than May 1, 2002, to review
the benefits of the potential use of the Children's Medication Algorithm
Project, as developed by TXMHMR, to treat children with mental illness in
the custody of the commission.  Requires the Texas Council on Offenders
with Mental Impairments, in conjunction with the Criminal Justice Policy
Council to oversee the analysis conducted by the department as required by
of this section, and the review conducted by the commission as required by
this section and, not later than December 1, 2002, report to the
legislature on the results of the analysis and the review. 

SECTION 2.  Effective date:  upon passage or September 1, 2001.