80R9441 KCR/PEP/HLT-D
 
  By: Madden H.B. No. 2053
 
 
 
   
 
 
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to the continuation and functions of the Texas Board of
Criminal Justice, the Texas Department of Criminal Justice, and the
Correctional Managed Health Care Committee and to the functions of
the Board of Pardons and Paroles.
       BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
       SECTION 1.  Section 15, Article 42.12, Code of Criminal
Procedure, is amended by adding Subsections (i), (j), and (k) to
read as follows:
       (i)  If a defendant is convicted of a state jail felony and
the sentence is executed, the judge sentencing the defendant may
release the defendant to a medically suitable placement if the
judge determines that the defendant does not constitute a threat to
public safety and the Texas Correctional Office on Offenders with
Medical or Mental Impairments:
             (1)  in coordination with the Correctional Managed
Health Care Committee prepares a case summary and medical report
that identifies the defendant as being elderly, physically
disabled, mentally ill, terminally ill, or mentally retarded or
having a condition requiring long-term care; and
             (2)  in cooperation with the community supervision and
corrections department serving the sentencing court, prepares for
the defendant a medically recommended intensive supervision and
continuity of care plan that:
                   (A)  ensures appropriate supervision of the
defendant by the community supervision and corrections department;
and
                   (B)  requires the defendant to remain under the
care of a physician at and reside in a medically suitable placement.
       (j)  The Texas Correctional Office on Offenders with Medical
or Mental Impairments shall submit to a judge who releases a
defendant to an appropriate medical care facility under Subsection
(i) a quarterly status report concerning the defendant's medical
and treatment status.
       (k)  If a defendant released to a medically suitable
placement under Subsection (i) violates the terms of that release,
the judge may dispose of the matter as provided by Subsections (e)
and (f)(1). 
       SECTION 2.  Chapter 76, Government Code, is amended by
adding Section 76.019 to read as follows:
       Sec. 76.019.  RECOMMENDATIONS CONCERNING TERMINATION OF
COMMUNITY SUPERVISION. (a) In this section, "routine offender
assessment" means any regularly scheduled evaluation, assessment,
or reassessment of a defendant's progress in satisfactorily
completing the defendant's term of community supervision that is
conducted by the department supervising the defendant.
       (b)  During the first routine offender assessment conducted
after the date on which a defendant completes one-third of the
original community supervision period or two years of community
supervision, whichever is earlier, the department supervising the
defendant shall:
             (1)  determine whether the defendant:
                   (A)  has satisfactorily fulfilled the conditions
of community supervision; and
                   (B)  is an appropriate candidate for termination
of community supervision under Section 20, Article 42.12, Code of
Criminal Procedure; and
             (2)  recommend to the court that placed the defendant
on community supervision whether the court should reduce the period
of community supervision or terminate community supervision and
discharge the defendant under Section 20, Article 42.12, Code of
Criminal Procedure.
       (c)  If the court that placed a defendant on community
supervision at any time determines that the defendant is indigent,
the department supervising the defendant may not refuse to
recommend that the defendant's period of community supervision be
reduced or that community supervision be terminated and the
defendant be discharged solely on the grounds that the defendant
has not paid any fees, fines, court costs, or restitution that the
defendant was ordered to pay as a condition of community
supervision.
       SECTION 3.  The heading to Subtitle C, Title 3, Government
Code, is amended to read as follows:
SUBTITLE C. LEGISLATIVE AGENCIES AND OVERSIGHT COMMITTEES
       SECTION 4.  Subtitle C, Title 3, Government Code, is amended
by adding Chapter 328 to read as follows:
CHAPTER 328. CRIMINAL JUSTICE LEGISLATIVE OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE
       Sec. 328.001.  DEFINITION. In this chapter, "committee"
means the Criminal Justice Legislative Oversight Committee.
       Sec. 328.002.  ESTABLISHMENT; COMPOSITION. (a) The Criminal
Justice Legislative Oversight Committee is established to provide
objective research, analysis, and recommendations to help guide
state criminal justice policies.
       (b)  The committee is composed of six members as follows:
             (1)  the chair of the Senate Committee on Criminal
Justice;
             (2)  the chair of the House Committee on Corrections;
             (3)  two members of the senate appointed by the
lieutenant governor; and
             (4)  two members of the house of representatives
appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives.
       (c)  In making appointments under Subsection (b)(3) or (4),
the lieutenant governor or the speaker of the house of
representatives, as applicable, shall give first consideration to
members of the senate or the house of representatives who are
members of the Senate Finance Committee or the House Appropriations
Committee.
       (d)  An appointed member of the committee serves at the
pleasure of the appointing official.
       Sec. 328.003.  PRESIDING OFFICER; TERM. (a) The lieutenant
governor and the speaker of the house of representatives shall
appoint the presiding officer of the committee on an alternating
basis.
       (b)  The presiding officer of the committee serves a two-year
term that expires February 1 of each odd-numbered year.
       Sec. 328.004.  POWERS AND DUTIES. (a) The committee shall:
             (1)  use statistical analyses and other research
methods to conduct an in-depth examination of the criminal justice
system in this state that includes:
                   (A)  an assessment of the cost-effectiveness of
the use of state and local funds in the criminal justice system;
                   (B)  an identification of critical problems in the
criminal justice system; and
                   (C)  a determination of the long-range needs of
the criminal justice system;
             (2)  recommend to the legislature:
                   (A)  strategies to solve the problems identified
under Subdivision (1)(B); and
                   (B)  policy priorities to address the long-range
needs determined under Subdivision (1)(C); and
             (3)  advise and assist the legislature in developing
plans, programs, and proposed legislation to improve the
effectiveness of the criminal justice system.
       (b)  The committee has all other powers and duties provided
to a special committee by:
             (1)  Subchapter B, Chapter 301;
             (2)  the rules of the senate and the house of
representatives; and
             (3)  policies of the senate and house committees on
administration.
       Sec. 328.005.  MEETINGS. The committee shall meet at the
call of the presiding officer.
       Sec. 328.006.  STAFF; AUTHORITY TO CONTRACT. The committee
may hire staff or may contract with universities or other suitable
entities to assist the committee in carrying out the committee's
duties.
       Sec. 328.007.  REPORT. Not later than January 1 of each
odd-numbered year, the committee shall submit to the legislature a
report that contains the recommendations described by Section
328.004(a)(2). 
       SECTION 5.  Section 492.012, Government Code, is amended to
read as follows:
       Sec. 492.012.  SUNSET PROVISION.  The Texas Board of
Criminal Justice and the Texas Department of Criminal Justice are
subject to Chapter 325 (Texas Sunset Act). Unless continued in
existence as provided by that chapter, the board and the department
are abolished September 1, 2019 [September 1, 2007].
       SECTION 6.  Chapter 492, Government Code, is amended by
adding Sections 492.015 and 492.016 to read as follows:
       Sec. 492.015.  USE OF TECHNOLOGY. The board shall implement
a policy requiring the department to use appropriate technological
solutions to improve the department's ability to perform its
functions. The policy must ensure that the public is able to
interact with the department on the Internet. 
       Sec. 492.016.  NEGOTIATED RULEMAKING; ALTERNATIVE DISPUTE
RESOLUTION. (a) The board shall develop and implement a policy to
encourage the use of:
             (1)  negotiated rulemaking procedures under Chapter
2008 for the adoption of department rules; and
             (2)  appropriate alternative dispute resolution
procedures under Chapter 2009 to assist in the resolution of
internal and external disputes under the department's
jurisdiction.
       (b)  The department's procedures relating to alternative
dispute resolution must conform, to the extent possible, to any
model guidelines issued by the State Office of Administrative
Hearings for the use of alternative dispute resolution by state
agencies.
       (c)  The board shall designate a trained person to:
             (1)  coordinate the implementation of the policy
adopted under Subsection (a);
             (2)  serve as a resource for any training needed to
implement the procedures for negotiated rulemaking or alternative
dispute resolution; and
             (3)  collect data concerning the effectiveness of those
procedures, as implemented by the department. 
       SECTION 7.  Subchapter B, Chapter 501, Government Code, is
amended by adding Sections 501.059 and 501.064 to read as follows:
       Sec. 501.059.  SCREENING FOR AND EDUCATION CONCERNING FETAL
ALCOHOL EXPOSURE DURING PREGNANCY. (a)  The department shall
establish a screening program to identify female inmates who are:
             (1)  between the ages of 18 and 44;
             (2)  sentenced to a term of confinement not to exceed
two years; and
             (3)  at risk for having a pregnancy with
alcohol-related complications, including giving birth to a child
with alcohol-related birth defects.
       (b)  The screening program established under Subsection (a)
must:
             (1)  evaluate the family planning practices of each
female inmate described by Subsection (a) in relation to the
inmate's consumption of alcohol and risk of having a pregnancy with
alcohol-related complications;
             (2)  include an objective screening tool to be used by
department employees administering the screening program; and
             (3)  occur during the diagnostic process or at another
time determined by the department.
       (c)  The department shall provide:
             (1)  a brief substance abuse intervention to all female
inmates identified by the screening program as being at risk for
having a pregnancy with alcohol-related complications; and
             (2)  an educational brochure describing the risks and
dangers of consuming alcohol during pregnancy to all female
inmates.
       Sec. 501.064.  AVAILABILITY OF CORRECTIONAL HEALTH CARE
INFORMATION TO INMATES. The department shall ensure that the
following information is available to any inmate confined in a
facility operated by or under contract with the department:
             (1)  a description of the level, type, and variety of
health care services available to inmates;
             (2)  the formulary used by correctional health care
personnel in prescribing medication to inmates;
             (3)  correctional managed care policies and
procedures; and
             (4)  the process for the filing of inmate grievances
concerning health care services provided to inmates.
       SECTION 8.  Section 501.132, Government Code, is amended to
read as follows:
       Sec. 501.132.  APPLICATION OF SUNSET ACT. The Correctional
Managed Health Care Committee is subject to review under Chapter
325 (Texas Sunset Act) regarding the committee's role and
responsibilities. The committee shall be reviewed during the
period in which the Texas Department of Criminal Justice is
reviewed. [Unless continued in existence as provided by that
chapter, the committee is abolished and this subchapter expires
September 1, 2007.]
       SECTION 9.  Section 501.137, Government Code, is amended to
read as follows:
       Sec. 501.137.  PRESIDING OFFICER. The governor shall
designate a public [physician] member of the committee who is
licensed to practice medicine in this state as presiding officer.
The presiding officer serves in that capacity at the will of the
governor.
       SECTION 10.  Section 501.148(a), Government Code, is amended
to read as follows:
       (a)  The committee shall:
             (1)  develop statewide policies for the delivery of
correctional health care;
             (2)  maintain [the] contracts for health care services
in consultation with the department and the health care providers;
             (3)  communicate with the department and the
legislature regarding the financial needs of the correctional
health care system;
             (4)  allocate funding made available through
legislative appropriations for correctional health care;
             (5)  monitor the expenditures of The University of
Texas Medical Branch at Galveston and the Texas Tech University
Health Sciences Center to ensure that those expenditures comply
with applicable statutory and contractual requirements;
             (6)  serve as a dispute resolution forum [(2)
determine a capitation rate reflecting the true cost of
correctional health care, including necessary catastrophic
reserves;
             [(3)  monitor and develop reports on general quality of
care issues;
             [(4)  act as an independent third party in the
allocation of money to inmate health care providers, including the
allocation of money between The University of Texas Medical Branch
at Galveston and the Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center;
             [(5)  act as an independent third party for the purpose
of dispute resolution] in the event of a disagreement relating to
inmate health care services between:
                   (A)  the department and the health care providers;
or
                   (B)  The University of Texas Medical Branch at
Galveston and the Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center;
             (7)  address problems found through monitoring
activities by the department and health care providers [and
             [(6)enforce compliance with contract provisions],
including requiring corrective action if care does not meet
expectations as determined by those [quality of care] monitoring
activities;
             (8)  identify and address long-term needs of the
correctional health care system; and
             (9)  report to the Texas Board of Criminal Justice at
the board's regularly scheduled meeting each quarter on the
committee's policy decisions, the financial status of the
correctional health care system, and corrective actions taken by or
required of the department or the health care providers.
       SECTION 11.  Section 501.150, Government Code, is amended to
read as follows:
       Sec. 501.150.  QUALITY OF CARE MONITORING BY THE DEPARTMENT
AND HEALTH CARE PROVIDERS. (a) The committee shall establish a
procedure for monitoring the quality of care delivered by the
health care providers. Under the procedure, the department shall
monitor the quality of care delivered by the health care providers,
including [department's monitoring activities must be limited to]
investigating medical grievances, ensuring access to medical care,
and conducting periodic operational reviews of medical care
provided at its units.
       (b)  The department and the medical care providers shall
cooperate in monitoring quality of care. The clinical and
professional resources of the health care providers shall be used
to the greatest extent feasible for clinical oversight of quality
of care issues. The department may require the health care
providers to take corrective action if the care provided does not
meet expectations as determined by quality of care monitoring.
       (c)  The department and the medical care providers shall
communicate the results of their monitoring activities, including a
list of and the status of any corrective actions required of the
health care providers, to the committee and to the Texas Board of
Criminal Justice.
       SECTION 12.  Sections 501.151(a) and (b), Government Code,
are amended to read as follows:
       (a)  The committee shall maintain a file on each written
complaint filed with the committee by a member of the general
public. The file must include:
             (1)  the name of the person who filed the complaint;
             (2)  the date the complaint is received by the
committee;
             (3)  the subject matter of the complaint;
             (4)  the name of each person contacted in relation to
the complaint;
             (5)  a summary of the results of the review or
investigation of the complaint; and
             (6)  an explanation of the reason the file was closed,
if the committee closed the file without taking action other than to
investigate the complaint.
       (b)  The committee shall make information available
describing its procedures for [provide to the person filing the
complaint and to each person who is a subject of the complaint a
copy of the committee's policies and procedures relating to]
complaint investigation and resolution.
       SECTION 13.  Subchapter E, Chapter 501, Government Code, is
amended by adding Sections 501.153, 501.154, and 501.155 to read as
follows:
       Sec. 501.153.  ALTERNATIVE DISPUTE RESOLUTION. (a) The
committee shall develop and implement a policy to encourage the use
of appropriate alternative dispute resolution procedures under
Chapter 2009 to assist in the resolution of internal and external
disputes under the committee's jurisdiction.
       (b)  The committee's procedures relating to alternative
dispute resolution must conform, to the extent possible, to any
model guidelines issued by the State Office of Administrative
Hearings for the use of alternative dispute resolution by state
agencies.
       (c)  The committee shall designate a trained person to:
             (1)  coordinate the implementation of the policy
adopted under Subsection (a);
             (2)  serve as a resource for any training needed to
implement the procedures for alternative dispute resolution; and
             (3)  collect data concerning the effectiveness of those
procedures, as implemented by the committee.
       Sec. 501.154.  USE OF TECHNOLOGY. The committee shall
implement a policy requiring the committee to use appropriate
technological solutions to improve the committee's ability to
perform its functions. The policy must ensure that the public is
able to interact with the committee on the Internet.
       Sec. 501.155.  AVAILABILITY OF CORRECTIONAL HEALTH CARE
INFORMATION TO THE PUBLIC. (a) The committee shall ensure that the
following information is available to the public:
             (1)  contracts between the department, the committee,
and health care providers, and other information concerning the
contracts, including a description of the level, type, and variety
of health care services available to inmates;
             (2)  the formulary used by correctional health care
personnel in prescribing medication to inmates;
             (3)  correctional managed care policies and
procedures;
             (4)  quality assurance statistics and data, to the
extent permitted by law;
             (5)  general information concerning the costs
associated with correctional health care, including at a minimum:
                   (A)  quarterly and monthly financial reports; and
                   (B)  aggregate cost information for:
                         (i)  salaries and benefits;
                         (ii)  equipment and supplies;
                         (iii)  pharmaceuticals;
                         (iv)  offsite medical services; and
                         (v)  any other costs to the correctional
health care system;
             (6)  aggregate statistical information concerning
inmate deaths and the prevalence of disease among inmates;
             (7)  the process for the filing of inmate grievances
concerning health care services provided to inmates;
             (8)  general statistics on the number and types of
inmate grievances concerning health care services provided to
inmates filed during the preceding quarter;
             (9)  contact information for a member of the public to
submit an inquiry to or file a complaint with the department or a
health care provider;
             (10)  information concerning the regulation and
discipline of health care professionals, including contact
information for the Health Professions Council and a link to the
council's website;
             (11)  unit data regarding health care services,
including hours of operation, available services, general
information on health care staffing at the unit, statistics on an
inmate's ability to access care at the unit in a timely manner, and,
if the unit is accredited by a national accrediting body, the most
recent accreditation review date; and
             (12)  dates and agendas for quarterly committee
meetings and the minutes from previous committee meetings.
       (b)  The committee shall make the information described by
Subsection (a) available on the committee's website and, on
request, in writing. The committee shall cooperate with the
department and the health care providers to ensure that the
committee's website:
             (1)  is linked to the websites of the department and the
health care providers;
             (2)  is accessible through the State of Texas website;
and
             (3)  can be located through common search engines.
       (c)  In determining the specific information to be made
available under this section, the committee shall cooperate with
the department to ensure that public disclosure of the information
would not pose a security threat to any individual or to the
criminal justice system.
       SECTION 14.  Subchapter B, Chapter 507, Government Code, is
amended by adding Section 507.028 to read as follows:
       Sec. 507.028.  SCREENING FOR AND EDUCATION CONCERNING FETAL
ALCOHOL EXPOSURE DURING PREGNANCY.  (a)  The department shall
establish and use a screening program in state jail felony
facilities that is substantially similar to the program established
and used by the department under Section 501.059.
       (b)  The department shall provide to all female defendants
confined in state jail felony facilities an educational brochure
describing the risks and dangers of consuming alcohol during
pregnancy.
       SECTION 15.  Section 508.033, Government Code, is amended by
amending Subsections (a), (b), (c), and (d) and adding Subsection
(f) to read as follows:
       (a)  A person is not eligible for appointment as a member of
the board or for employment as a parole commissioner if the person
or the person's spouse:
             (1)  is employed by or participates in the management
of a business entity or other organization receiving funds from the
department or the board;
             (2)  owns or controls, directly or indirectly, more
than a 10-percent interest in a business entity or other
organization:
                   (A)  regulated by the department; or
                   (B)  receiving funds from the department or the
board; or
             (3)  uses or receives a substantial amount of tangible
goods, services, or funds from the department or the board, other
than compensation or reimbursement authorized by law for board
membership, attendance, or expenses.
       (b)  In determining eligibility under Subsection (a)(3), the
compensation or reimbursement that a board member's spouse or
parole commissioner's spouse receives as an employee of the board
or the department may not be considered.  This subsection does not
affect any restriction on employment or board membership imposed by
any other law.
       (c)  A person may not serve as a parole commissioner, may not
be a member of the board, and may not be an employee of the division
or the board employed in a "bona fide executive, administrative, or
professional capacity," as that phrase is used for purposes of
establishing an exemption to the overtime provisions of the federal
Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 (29 U.S.C. Section 201 et seq.) and
its subsequent amendments, if:
             (1)  the person is an officer, employee, or paid
consultant of a Texas trade association in the field of criminal
justice; or
             (2)  the person's spouse is an officer, manager, or paid
consultant of a Texas trade association in the field of criminal
justice.
       (d)  A person who is required to register as a lobbyist under
Chapter 305 because of the person's activities for compensation in
or on behalf of a profession related to the operation of the board
may not:
             (1)  serve as a member of the board or as a parole
commissioner; or
             (2)  act as the general counsel to the board or
division.
       (f)  A person who is a current or former employee of the
department may not serve as a parole commissioner before the second
anniversary of the date the person's employment with the department
ceases.
       SECTION 16.  Section 508.036(b), Government Code, is amended
to read as follows:
       (b)  The board shall:
             (1)  adopt rules relating to the decision-making
processes used by the board and parole panels;
             (2)  prepare information of public interest describing
the functions of the board and make the information available to the
public and appropriate state agencies;
             (3)  comply with federal and state laws related to
program and facility accessibility; [and]
             (4)  prepare annually a complete and detailed written
report that meets the reporting requirements applicable to
financial reporting provided in the General Appropriations Act and
accounts for all funds received and disbursed by the board during
the preceding fiscal year; and
             (5)  develop and implement policies that provide the
public with a reasonable opportunity to appear before the board and
to speak on any issue under the jurisdiction of the board, with the
exception of an individual parole determination or clemency
recommendation.
       SECTION 17.  Subchapter B, Chapter 508, Government Code, is
amended by adding Sections 508.053, 508.054, and 508.055 to read as
follows:
       Sec. 508.053.  USE OF TECHNOLOGY. The board shall implement
a policy requiring the board to use appropriate technological
solutions to improve the board's ability to perform its functions.
The policy must ensure that the public is able to interact with the
board on the Internet.
       Sec. 508.054.  RECORDS OF COMPLAINTS. (a) The board shall
maintain a system to promptly and efficiently act on complaints
filed with the board. The board shall maintain information about
parties to the complaint, the subject matter of the complaint, a
summary of the results of the review or investigation of the
complaint, and its disposition.
       (b)  The board shall make information available describing
its procedures for complaint investigation and resolution.
       (c)  The board shall periodically notify the complaint
parties of the status of the complaint until final disposition.
       (d)  This section does not apply to a complaint about an
individual parole determination or clemency recommendation.
       Sec. 508.055.  NEGOTIATED RULEMAKING AND ALTERNATIVE
DISPUTE RESOLUTION. (a) The board shall develop and implement a
policy to encourage the use of:
             (1)  negotiated rulemaking procedures under Chapter
2008 for the adoption of board rules; and
             (2)  appropriate alternative dispute resolution
procedures under Chapter 2009 to assist in the resolution of
internal disputes under the board's jurisdiction.
       (b)  The board's procedures relating to alternative dispute
resolution must conform, to the extent possible, to any model
guidelines issued by the State Office of Administrative Hearings
for the use of alternative dispute resolution by state agencies.
       (c)  The board shall designate a trained person to:
             (1)  coordinate the implementation of the policy
adopted under Subsection (a);
             (2)  serve as a resource for any training needed to
implement the procedures for negotiated rulemaking or alternative
dispute resolution; and
             (3)  collect data concerning the effectiveness of those
procedures, as implemented by the board.
       SECTION 18.  Section 508.117(g)(1), Government Code, is
amended to read as follows:
             (1)  "Close relative of a deceased victim" means a
person who was:
                   (A)  the spouse of the victim at the time of the
victim's death;
                   (B)  a parent of the deceased victim; [or]
                   (C)  an adult brother, sister, or child of the
deceased victim; or
                   (D)  the nearest relative of the deceased victim
by consanguinity, if the persons described by Paragraphs (A)
through (C) are deceased or are incapacitated due to physical or
mental illness or infirmity.
       SECTION 19.  Section 508.144, Government Code, is amended by
amending Subsections (a) and (b) and adding Subsections (d), (e),
and (f) to read as follows:
       (a)  The board shall:
             (1)  develop according to an acceptable research method
the parole guidelines that are the basic criteria on which a parole
decision is made;
             (2)  base the guidelines on the seriousness of the
offense and the likelihood of a favorable parole outcome; and
             (3)  implement the guidelines[; and
             [(4)review the guidelines periodically].
       (b)  If a board member or parole commissioner deviates from
the parole guidelines in voting on a parole decision, the member or
parole commissioner shall:
             (1)  produce a [brief] written statement describing in
detail the specific circumstances regarding the departure from the
guidelines; [and]
             (2)  place a copy of the statement in the file of the
inmate for whom the parole decision was made; and
             (3)  provide a copy of the statement to the inmate.
       (d)  The board shall meet annually to review and discuss the
parole guidelines developed under Subsection (a). The board may
consult outside experts to assist with the review. The board must
consider:
             (1)  how the parole guidelines serve the needs of
parole decision-making;
             (2)  how well the parole guidelines reflect parole
panel decisions; and
             (3)  how well parole guidelines predict successful
parole outcomes.
       (e)  Based on the board's review of the parole guidelines
under Subsection (d), the board may:
             (1)  update the guidelines by:
                   (A)  including new risk factors; or
                   (B)  changing the values of offense severity or
risk factor scores; or
             (2)  modify the recommended parole approval rates under
the guidelines, if parole approval rates differ significantly from
the recommended rates.
       (f)  The board is not required to hold an open meeting to
review the guidelines as required by Subsection (d), but any
modifications or updates to the guidelines made by the board under
Subsection (e) must occur in an open meeting.
       SECTION 20.  Subchapter E, Chapter 508, Government Code, is
amended by adding Section 508.1445 to read as follows:
       Sec. 508.1445.  ANNUAL REPORT ON GUIDELINES REQUIRED. (a)
The board annually shall submit a report to the Criminal Justice
Legislative Oversight Committee, the lieutenant governor, the
speaker of the house of representatives, and the presiding officers
of the standing committees in the senate and house of
representatives primarily responsible for criminal justice
regarding the board's application of the parole guidelines adopted
under Section 508.144.
       (b)  The report must include:
             (1)  a brief explanation of the parole guidelines,
including how the board:
                   (A)  defines the risk factors and offense severity
levels; and
                   (B)  determines the recommended parole approval
rates for each guideline score;
             (2)  a comparison of the recommended approval rates
under the parole guidelines to the actual approval rates for
individual parole panel members, regional offices, and the state as
a whole; and
             (3)  a description of instances in which the actual
parole approval rates do not meet the recommended approval rates
under the parole guidelines, an explanation of the variations, and
a list of actions that the board has taken or will take to meet the
guidelines. 
       SECTION 21.  Section 508.155(c), Government Code, is amended
to read as follows:
       (c)  The division may allow a releasee to serve the remainder
of the releasee's sentence without supervision and without being
required to report if a parole supervisor at the regional level has
approved the releasee's early release from supervision under
Section 508.1555[:
             [(1)  the releasee has been under supervision for at
least one-half of the time that remained on the releasee's sentence
when the releasee was released from imprisonment;
             [(2)  during the period of supervision the releasee's
parole or release to mandatory supervision has not been revoked;
and
             [(3)the division determines:
                   [(A)  that the releasee has made a good faith
effort to comply with any restitution order imposed on the releasee
by a court; and
                   [(B)  that allowing the releasee to serve the
remainder of the releasee's sentence without supervision and
reporting is in the best interest of society].
       SECTION 22.  Subchapter E, Chapter 508, Government Code, is
amended by adding Section 508.1555 to read as follows:
       Sec. 508.1555.  PROCEDURE FOR THE EARLY RELEASE FROM
SUPERVISION OF CERTAIN RELEASEES. (a) A parole officer annually
shall identify the releasees under the parole officer's supervision
who are eligible for early release from supervision under Section
508.155(c). A releasee is eligible for early release if:
             (1)  the releasee has been under supervision for at
least one-half of the time that remained on the releasee's sentence
when the releasee was released from imprisonment;
             (2)  during the preceding two-year period, the releasee
has not committed any violation of the rules or conditions of
release;
             (3)  during the period of supervision the releasee's
parole or release to mandatory supervision has not been revoked;
and
             (4)  the division determines:
                   (A)  that the releasee has made a good faith
effort to comply with any restitution order imposed on the releasee
by a court; and
                   (B)  that allowing the releasee to serve the
remainder of the releasee's sentence without supervision and
reporting is in the best interest of society.
       (b)  After identifying any releasees who are eligible for
early release under Subsection (a), the parole officer shall review
the eligible releasees, including any releasees the parole officer
has previously declined to recommend for early release, to
determine if a recommendation for early release from supervision is
appropriate. In conducting the review and determining
recommendations, the parole officer shall consider whether the
releasee:
             (1)  has a low risk of recidivism as determined by an
assessment developed by the department; and
             (2)  has made a good faith effort to comply with the
conditions of release.
       (c)  A parole officer shall forward to the parole supervisor
at the regional level any recommendations for early release the
parole officer makes under Subsection (b). If the parole
supervisor approves the recommendation, the division shall allow a
releasee to serve the remainder of the releasee's sentence without
supervision and without being required to report as authorized by
Section 508.155.
       SECTION 23.  Section 509.011, Government Code, is amended by
amending Subsections (a), (e), (f), and (g) and adding Subsection
(f-1) to read as follows:
       (a)  If the division determines that a department complies
with division standards and if the community justice council has
submitted a community justice plan under Section 76.003 and the
supporting information required by the division and the division
determines the plan and supporting information are acceptable, the
division shall prepare and submit to the comptroller vouchers for
payment to the department in an amount calculated using a funding
formula adopted [as follows:
             [(1)  for per capita funding, a per diem amount for each
felony defendant directly supervised by the department pursuant to
lawful authority;
             [(2)  for per capita funding, a per diem amount for a
period not to exceed 182 days for each defendant supervised by the
department pursuant to lawful authority, other than a felony
defendant; and
             [(3)  for formula funding, an annual amount as computed
by multiplying a percentage determined by the allocation formula
established] under Subsection (f) [times the total amount provided
in the General Appropriations Act for payments under this
subdivision].
       (e)  In establishing a funding formula under Subsection (f) 
[establishing per diem payments authorized by Subsections (a)(1)
and (a)(2)], the division shall consider the amounts appropriated
in the General Appropriations Act for basic supervision as
sufficient to provide basic supervision in each year of the fiscal
biennium.
       (f)  The division annually shall establish a funding
[compute for each department for community corrections program]
formula to determine the [funding a] percentage of the total amount
provided in the General Appropriations Act for payments to
departments each department is entitled to receive. A formula
established under this subsection:
             (1)  may assign different [determined by assigning
equal] weights to factors relating to the characteristics of
defendants supervised by a department, including:
                   (A)  the number of felony and nonfelony defendants
supervised by the department;
                   (B)  the risk level of defendants supervised by
the department;
                   (C)  the level of supervision provided to
defendants supervised by the department;
                   (D)  the length of time defendants supervised by
the department have been under the supervision of the department or
another community supervision and corrections department;
                   (E)  the percentage of the state's population
residing in the counties served by the department; and
                   (F)  the department's percentage of all felony
defendants in the state under direct community supervision; and
             (2)  may not penalize a department based on declining
numbers of defendants supervised by the department if the declining
numbers are directly attributable to an increasing number of
defendants supervised by the department being discharged from
community supervision.
       (f-1)  The division shall use the most recent information
available in making calculations [computations] under Subsection
(f) [this subsection]. The board by rule may adopt a policy
limiting for all departments the percentage of benefit or loss that
may be realized as a result of the operation of the funding formula.
       (g)  If the Texas Department of Criminal Justice determines
that at the end of a biennium a department maintains in reserve an
amount greater than six months' basic supervision operating costs
for the department, the Texas Department of Criminal Justice in the
succeeding biennium may reduce the amount of [per capita and
formula] funding provided under Subsection (a) so that in the
succeeding biennium the department's reserves do not exceed six
months' basic supervision operating costs. The Texas Department of
Criminal Justice may adopt policies and standards permitting a
department to maintain reserves in an amount greater than otherwise
permitted by this subsection as necessary to cover emergency costs
or implement new programs with the approval of the Texas Department
of Criminal Justice. The Texas Department of Criminal Justice may
distribute unallocated [per capita or formula] funds to provide
supplemental funds to individual departments to further the
purposes of this chapter.
       SECTION 24.  Section 614.0032(a), Health and Safety Code, is
amended to read as follows:
       (a)  The office shall perform duties imposed on the office by
Section 508.146, Government Code, and Section 15(i), Article 42.12,
Code of Criminal Procedure.
       SECTION 25.  (a)  The Texas Department of Criminal Justice
shall study the operation and maintenance of different types of
electronic monitoring equipment. The study conducted under this
subsection must examine:
             (1)  the relative cost-effectiveness of using various
types of electronic monitoring equipment and funding proposals for
costs to the department associated with the various types of
equipment;
             (2)  the relative level of supervision provided by
different types of electronic monitoring equipment; and
             (3)  the different rehabilitation and treatment
options afforded by different types of electronic monitoring
equipment.
       (b)  Not later than December 1, 2009, the department shall
submit a report summarizing the findings of the study conducted
under Subsection (a) of this section to the governor, the
lieutenant governor, the speaker of the house of representatives,
and appropriate standing committees of the legislature.
       SECTION 26.  Section 76.019, Government Code, as added by
this Act, applies to a defendant who is on community supervision and
supervised by a community supervision and corrections department on
or after the effective date of this Act, regardless of the date on
which the defendant was originally placed on community supervision.
       SECTION 27.  (a) The speaker of the house of representatives
and the lieutenant governor shall appoint members to the Criminal
Justice Legislative Oversight Committee under Chapter 328,
Government Code, as added by this Act, not later than January 1,
2008.
       (b)  Notwithstanding Section 328.003, Government Code, as
added by this Act, the speaker of the house of representatives, not
later than January 15, 2008, shall appoint a presiding officer for
the committee. The presiding officer appointed by the speaker of
the house of representatives under this section serves a one-year
term that begins on February 1, 2008, and ends on February 1, 2009.
       SECTION 28.  Not later than March 1, 2008, the Texas
Department of Criminal Justice shall establish the screening
programs concerning fetal alcohol exposure under Sections 501.059
and 507.028, Government Code, as added by this Act. Not later than
September 1, 2008, the department shall begin screening all inmates
or defendants confined in state jail felony facilities as required
by those sections.
       SECTION 29.  The Texas Department of Criminal Justice shall
ensure that information is made available to inmates as required by
Section 501.064, Government Code, as added by this Act, not later
than March 1, 2008.
       SECTION 30.  The Correctional Managed Health Care Committee
shall ensure that information is made available to the public as
required by Section 501.155, Government Code, as added by this Act,
not later than January 1, 2008.
       SECTION 31.  Section 508.033, Government Code, as amended by
this Act, applies only to a parole commissioner hired by the Board
of Pardons and Paroles as a parole commissioner on or after the
effective date of this Act. A person hired as a parole commissioner
before the effective date of this Act is covered by the law in
effect on the date the person was hired, and the former law is
continued in effect for that purpose.
       SECTION 32.  Section 508.144(b), Government Code, as amended
by this Act, applies only to a parole decision made on or after the
effective date of this Act. A parole decision made before the
effective date of this Act is covered by the law in effect on the
date the decision was made, and the former law is continued in
effect for that purpose.
       SECTION 33.  Not later than September 1, 2008, the Board of
Pardons and Paroles shall hold its first annual meeting to review
the parole guidelines as required by Section 508.144(d), Government
Code, as added by this Act.
       SECTION 34.  Not later than December 1, 2008, the Board of
Pardons and Paroles shall submit its first annual report on the
parole guidelines as required by Section 508.1445, Government Code,
as added by this Act.
       SECTION 35.  Section 508.155(c), Government Code, as amended
by this Act, applies to any person who is a releasee on or after the
effective date of this Act and whose recommendation for release is
approved under Section 508.1555, Government Code, as added by this
Act, regardless of when the person was originally released to
parole or mandatory supervision.
       SECTION 36.  Not later than September 1, 2008, each parole
officer shall complete the officer's first annual identification of
releasees under the officer's supervision who are eligible for
early release from supervision, as required by Section 508.1555,
Government Code, as added by this Act.
       SECTION 37.  (a)  Not later than April 1, 2008, the community
justice assistance division of the Texas Department of Criminal
Justice shall establish the funding formula described by Section
509.011(f), Government Code, as amended by this Act, that is to be
used for the state fiscal year that begins on September 1, 2008.
       (b)  Sections 509.011(a), (e), (f), and (g), Government
Code, as amended by this Act, and Section 509.011(f-1), Government
Code, as added by this Act, apply to appropriations made for a
fiscal year that begins on or after September 1, 2008.
       SECTION 38.  This Act takes effect immediately if it
receives a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each
house, as provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution.  
If this Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate
effect, this Act takes effect September 1, 2007.