80R11862 SLO-D

By: Macias, et al. H.B. No. 1814

Substitute the following for H.B. No. 1814:

By: McReynolds C.S.H.B. No. 1814

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to implementation of a comprehensive character education and training pilot program at certain Texas Youth Commission facilities.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:

SECTION 1. Subchapter C, Chapter 61, Human Resources Code, is amended by adding Section 61.0386 to read as follows:

Sec. 61.0386. COMPREHENSIVE CHARACTER EDUCATION AND TRAINING PILOT PROGRAM. (a) The commission shall establish a comprehensive character education and training pilot program at:

(1) either Unit I or Unit II of the McLennan County State Juvenile Correctional Facility; and

(2) another correctional facility operated by or under contract with the commission that the commission chooses to participate in the program.

(b) The commission shall model the program after the Character First! program or a similar program that emphasizes character education and training.

(c) The commission shall conduct a study concerning any cost savings resulting from the implementation of the comprehensive character education and training pilot program at commission facilities at which the program is implemented as compared to other commission facilities, including any cost savings resulting from lower recidivism rates, lower staff turnover rates, and less overall facility damage.

(d) Not later than January 1, 2011, and January 1, 2013, the commission shall prepare and deliver to each member of the legislature a report describing the interim results of the study. Not later than January 1, 2015, the commission shall deliver a report describing the final results of the study.

(e) This section expires February 1, 2016.

SECTION 2. Not later than January 1, 2008, the Texas Youth Commission shall establish the comprehensive character education and training pilot program at either Unit I or Unit II of the McLennan County State Juvenile Correctional Facility and at another correctional facility operated by or under contract with the Texas Youth Commission as required by Section 61.0386, Human Resources Code, as added by this Act.

SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2007.