BILL ANALYSIS
Senate Research Center C.S.S.B. 2309
Committee Report (Substituted)
AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT
The Texas Department of Criminal Justice (TDCJ) has continually reported issues with labor management cooperation, recruitment, and retention of employees. The goal of S.B. 2309 is to address an ongoing struggle to find and retain appropriate staff for TDCJ.
C.S.S.B. 2309 amends current law relating to certain personnel policies of TDCJ and to certain related duties of the Texas Board 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. Amends Chapter 492, Government Code, by adding Section 492.017, as follows:
Sec. 492.017. PROFESSIONAL STANDARDS AND LABOR OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE. (a) Requires the Texas Board of Criminal Justice (TBCJ) to create a professional standards and labor oversight committee composed of TBCJ members to review the implementation of and make necessary recommendations for rule and policy changes to increase the retention of Texas Department of Criminal Justice (TDCJ) employees and reduce vacancies in critical positions held by those employees, including changes to:
(1) career ladders established for TDCJ employees;
(2) professional development of correctional officers and supervisory personnel;
(3) labor-management cooperation, recruitment, and retention policies; and
(4) complaint procedures involving disciplinary actions, grievance procedures, and appropriate alternative dispute resolution procedures.
(b) Requires TBCJ, in conjunction with the professional standards and labor oversight committee (committee), to annually submit to the governor and the legislature a report that includes the results of the review and the recommendations considered under Subsection (a) and any actions taken by TBCJ or TDCJ during the preceding year to increase the retention of TDCJ employees and reduce vacancies in critical positions held by those employees.
SECTION 2. Requires TBCJ, not later than December 1, 2009, to establish a professional standards and labor oversight committee as required by Section 492.017(a), Government Code, as added by this Act. Requires the committee to submit to the governor and the legislature the first report required by Section 492.017(b), Government Code, as added by this Act.
SECTION 5. Effective date: September 1, 2009.