SRC-JLB S.B. 591 78(R)   BILL ANALYSIS


Senate Research Center   S.B. 591
78R2666 PEP-DBy: Duncan
Jurisprudence
2/27/2003
As Filed


DIGEST AND PURPOSE 

A task force, created by the 77th Texas Legislature, studied the issue of
competency in criminal proceedings.  The task force has recommended
changing the make-up of the board of the Texas Council on Offenders with
Mental Impairments (TCOMI) to provide for certain expertise.  As proposed,
S.B. 591 requires that three at-large members of the TCOMI board be
licensed psychiatrists or psychologists with expertise in forensics.  

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.  Amends Section 614.002(b), Health and Safety Code, to require
the governor to appoint, with the advice and consent of the senate,
certain members to the Texas Council on Offenders with Mental Impairments. 

SECTION 2.  (a) Effective date:  September 1, 2003.

            (b) Makes application of this Act prospective.