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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to measures to increase the safety of children committed |
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to the Texas Youth Commission. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Subchapter C, Chapter 61, Human Resources Code, |
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is amended by adding Sections 61.0453 and 61.0454 to read as |
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follows: |
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Sec. 61.0453. DISCHARGE OR RETALIATION FOR COMPLAINTS |
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PROHIBITED. The commission may not discharge or in any manner |
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discriminate or retaliate against an employee who in good faith |
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makes a complaint to the commission or cooperates with the office in |
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an investigation. |
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Sec. 61.0454. OVERSIGHT OF STUDENTS. (a) At a facility of |
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the commission, a single individual may not have complete control, |
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supervision, or oversight over the schedule and movements of the |
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children in the facility. |
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(b) The commission shall by rule establish procedures to |
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implement this section. |
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SECTION 2. Subchapter E, Chapter 61, Human Resources Code, |
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is amended by adding Section 61.0765 to read as follows: |
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Sec. 61.0765. POSTING OF INFORMATION. (a) The commission |
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shall post a sign in the eating area and other conspicuous, high |
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traffic, high visibility locations at each of its facilities for |
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children that states: |
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(1) the rights that the child has while committed to |
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the commission; and |
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(2) the name, phone number, and e-mail address of the |
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employee of the commission with supervisory authority over the |
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facility to which the child is committed with whom the child can |
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file a complaint or otherwise report any abuse. |
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(b) The sign must have dimensions of at least 8-1/2 inches |
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by 11 inches and be in an easily readable font and type size. |
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SECTION 3. Section 411.1141(a), Government Code, is amended |
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to read as follows: |
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(a) The Texas Youth Commission is entitled to obtain from |
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the department criminal history record information maintained by |
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the department that relates to a person who is: |
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(1) an applicant for a position with or an employee of |
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the Texas Youth Commission; |
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(2) a volunteer or an intern, or an applicant |
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volunteer or intern, with the Texas Youth Commission; |
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(3) a business entity or person who contracts with the |
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Texas Youth Commission to provide direct delivery services to |
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youth; |
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(4) an employee of, or an applicant for employment |
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with, a business entity or person who contracts with the Texas Youth |
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Commission to provide direct delivery of services to youth; or |
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(5) a volunteer or an intern, or an applicant |
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volunteer or intern, with a business entity or person who contracts |
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with the Texas Youth Commission to provide direct delivery of |
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services to youth. |
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SECTION 4. This Act takes effect immediately if it receives |
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a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as |
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provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution. If this |
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Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this |
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Act takes effect September 1, 2007. |