SRC-BWC S.B. 636 77(R) BILL ANALYSIS Senate Research Center S.B. 636 77R3452 JMC-DBy: Armbrister Criminal Justice 2/28/2001 As Filed 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. As proposed, 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.