MINUTES
SENATE COMMITTEE ON CRIMINAL JUSTICE
Wednesday, September 12, 2018
10:00 AM
Capitol Extension, Room E1.016
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Pursuant to a notice posted in accordance with Senate Rule 11.10 and 11.18, a public hearing of the Senate Committee on Criminal Justice was held on Wednesday, September 12, 2018, in the Capitol Extension, Room E1.016, at Austin, Texas.
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MEMBERS PRESENT: |
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MEMBERS ABSENT: |
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Senator John Whitmire, Chair |
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Senator Bryan Hughes |
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Senator Joan Huffman, Vice Chair |
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Senator Brian Birdwell |
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Senator Konni Burton |
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Senator Brandon Creighton |
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Senator Sylvia Garcia |
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Senator José Menéndez |
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Senator Charles Perry |
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The Chair called the meeting to order at 10:00 AM. There being a quorum present, the following business was transacted:
The
Chair laid out and Senator West made opening remarks on the following interim
charge:
Vb. Monitoring
Monitor the implementation of legislation addressed by the Senate
Criminal Justice Committee during the 85th Legislature and make recommendations
for any legislation needed to improve, enhance, and/or complete implementation
of the following: Senate Bill 30, Relating to the inclusion of
instruction regarding interaction with peace officers in the required
curriculum for certain public school students and in driver education courses
and to civilian interaction training for peace officers.
The Chair laid out the following interim charge:
I. Identify Successful Re-Entry Programs
Study current reentry programs and procedures across Texas' adult criminal
justice system and identify which are most effective. Review best practices and
make recommendations to ensure that incarcerated individuals who are released
from a county or city jail, state jail, or the Texas Department of Criminal
Justice have adequate supervision and access to employment, housing, treatment,
and other support programs to allow for successful reentry and integration into
the community and to prevent recidivism.
The Chair then called invited testimony (see attached witness list).
The Chair laid out and made remarks on the following interim
charge:
II. State Jail Review to Improve Outcomes
Perform a comprehensive analysis and study of the Texas state jail
system. Examine the access to and use of rehabilitation, vocation, and
education programs. Determine whether current programs are effective and if
there are efficiencies that can be found to reduce recidivism and improve
outcomes.
The Chair then called invited testimony (see attached witness list).
The Chair laid out and made remarks on the following interim
charge:
III. Telemedicine in Correctional Facilities
Review current availability and best practices in the state
regarding the use of telemedicine for inmates in city or county jail, state
jail, or the Texas Department of Criminal Justice. Examine and make
recommendations on whether access to care and outcomes can be improved through
the expanded use of telemedicine for medical and mental health services, and
whether expansion would create efficiencies. Examine barriers to implementation
and expansion of telemedicine in correctional facilities.
The Chair then called invited testimony (see attached witness list).
The Chair laid out and made remarks on the following interim
charge:
IV. Human Trafficking Awareness and Prevention
Study opportunities to increase awareness of human trafficking
through public awareness campaigns, among local officials, and within public
school districts including the identification of potential human trafficking
and stash houses as well as how and where to report. Examine the Human
Trafficking Prevention Business Partnership Program at the Office of the
Secretary of State and provide recommendations for increasing participation of
Texas businesses in the fight against human trafficking.
The Chair then called invited testimony (see attached witness list).
The Chair laid out and made remarks on the following interim
charge:
Va. Monitoring
Senate Bill 12, Relating to the creation of a grant program to assist law
enforcement agencies with the purchase of bulletproof vests and body armor.
The Chair then called invited testimony (see attached witness list).
The Chair then called invited testimony on the following interim
charge:
Vb. Monitoring
Senate Bill 30, Relating to the inclusion of instruction regarding interaction
with peace officers in the required curriculum for certain public school
students and in driver education courses and to civilian interaction training
for peace officers.
The Chair laid out and made remarks on the following interim
charge:
Vb. Monitoring
Senate Bill 1326, Relating to procedures regarding criminal defendants
who are or may be persons with a mental illness or an intellectual disability
and to certain duties of the Office of Court Administration of the Texas
Judicial System related to persons with mental illness.
The Chair then called invited testimony (see attached witness list).
The Chair then opened public testimony on Charges II, I, III, IV, and Va., Vb., and Vc, respectfully (see attached witness lists).
The Chair moved that the public testimony be closed; without objection, it was so ordered.
There being no further business, at 4:32 PM Senator Whitmire moved that the Committee stand recessed subject to the call of the Chair. Without objection, it was so ordered.
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Senator John Whitmire, Chair
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Amanda Salazar, Clerk