AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT
Interested parties report that commissioners courts in certain counties, such as Harris County, are not required to receive written approval from the county sheriff before contracting with a private vendor for the provision of certain services or management of a jail, detention center, work camp, or related facility because the county can bypass that requirement if the county ensures that contracted services meet or exceed certain standards.
H.B. 1544 amends current law relating to the authority of a county to contract with a private vendor for the operation of a detention facility.
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 Section 351.102, Local Government Code, to require the commissioners court of the county, before the commissioners court of a county enters into a contract under this section, to receive the written approval of the sheriff of the county, which written approval shall not be unreasonably withheld, or if the county has a population of 2.8 million or more, consult with the sheriff regarding the feasibility of ensuring, rather than ensuring, that all services provided under the contract are required to meet or exceed standards set by the Commission on Jail Standards.
SECTION 2. Makes application of this Act prospective.
SECTION 3. Effective date: upon passage or September 1, 2013.