BILL ANALYSIS

H.B. 3689

By: White

Juvenile Justice & Family Issues

Committee Report (Unamended)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

There have been significant operational and organizational changes at the Texas Juvenile Justice Department (TJJD) since its creation eight years ago that are not reflected in statute. Among these changes are the transfer to the office of the inspector general of TJJD of responsibility over the operation of K-9 contraband detection teams, the fugitive apprehension, gang and security intelligence, entry search, and abuse and neglect investigations of juvenile justice programs. H.B. 3689 seeks to clarify the duties of the office of the inspector general to align with these changes.

CRIMINAL JUSTICE IMPACT

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly create a criminal offense, increase the punishment for an existing criminal offense or category of offenses, or change the eligibility of a person for community supervision, parole, or mandatory supervision.

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, department, agency, or institution.

ANALYSIS

H.B. 3689 amends the Government Code to authorize the Texas Juvenile Justice Department (TJJD) to include hazardous duty pay in the compensation paid to an individual for services rendered during a month if the individual is an investigator, inspector general, security officer, or apprehension specialist employed by the office of the inspector general of TJJD. The bill excepts the inclusion of hazardous duty pay in the compensation paid to such an individual from the prohibition against TJJD paying hazardous duty pay from funds authorized for payment of an across-the-board employee salary increase or to an employee who works at the TJJD central office.

H.B. 3689 amends the Human Resources Code to specify that the office of inspector general of TJJD is established as a law enforcement agency and to include preventing certain crimes committed at TJJD facilities among the office's purposes. The bill specifies that the crimes and delinquent conduct the office prevents and investigates include unauthorized or illegal entry into a TJJD facility, the introduction of contraband into a TJJD facility, escape from a secure facility, and organized criminal activity. The bill expands the office's purposes to include investigating complaints involving allegations of abuse, neglect, or exploitation of children in juvenile justice programs or facilities.

EFFECTIVE DATE

September 1, 2019.