By: Whitmire S.B. No. 2309

(In the Senate - Filed March 13, 2009; March 31, 2009, read first time and referred to Committee on Criminal Justice; May 8, 2009, reported adversely, with favorable Committee Substitute by the following vote: Yeas 6, Nays 0; May 8, 2009, sent to printer.)

COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE FOR S.B. No. 2309 By: Whitmire

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to certain personnel policies of the Texas Department of Criminal Justice and to certain related duties of the Texas Board of Criminal Justice.

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

SECTION 1. Chapter 492, Government Code, is amended by adding Section 492.017 to read as follows:

Sec. 492.017. PROFESSIONAL STANDARDS AND LABOR OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE. (a) The board shall create a professional standards and labor oversight committee composed of board members to review the implementation of and make necessary recommendations for rule and policy changes to increase the retention of department employees and reduce vacancies in critical positions held by those employees, including changes to:

(1) career ladders established for department 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) The board, in conjunction with the professional standards and labor oversight committee, shall annually submit to the governor and the legislature a report that includes:

(1) the results of the review and the recommendations considered under Subsection (a); and

(2) any actions taken by the board or department during the preceding year to increase the retention of department employees and reduce vacancies in critical positions held by those employees.

SECTION 2. Not later than December 1, 2009, the Texas Board of Criminal Justice shall establish a professional standards and labor oversight committee as required by Subsection (a), Section 492.017, Government Code, as added by this Act. Not later than December 1, 2010, the committee shall submit to the governor and the legislature the first report required by Subsection (b), Section 492.017, Government Code, as added by this Act.

SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2009.

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