HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

NOTICE OF FORMAL REQUEST FOR INFORMATION

COMMITTEE:    Corrections
             Interim Charge #1 

TIME & DATE:  N/A
Monday, November 16, 2020 

PLACE:       N/A 
CHAIR:       Rep. James White 

Due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and difficulty in scheduling public

hearings at this time, the committee is conducting necessary oversight

functions through an information gathering process under Section 301.014,

Government Code.

This is a notice that the House Committee on Corrections is seeking written submissions and input from state agencies, interested parties, and the public on the interim charge listed below. Submissions received in response to this request will be transmitted to members of the committee and posted on the House committee website.

Submission Requirements:

· Submissions must be in Microsoft Word format or Adobe PDF.

· Submissions are requested to be limited to 5 pages in length.

· Submissions must be submitted via email to the Committee Clerk, Roel Benavides, at roel.benavides_hc@house.texas.gov.

· Include the following information in the submission email:

         submitter name, organization or entity (if applicable), mailing                 address, email, and telephone number.

· The deadline for all submissions is Friday, December 4, 2020.

Interim Charge #1: Monitor the agencies and programs under the Committee's jurisdiction and oversee the implementation of relevant legislation passed by the 86th Legislature. Conduct active oversight of all associated rulemaking and other governmental actions taken to ensure intended legislative outcome of all legislation, including the following:

· HB 374, which relates to meetings or visits between a defendant on community supervision and a supervision officer. Monitor community supervision and corrections department rules regarding the scheduling of meetings or visits with a defendant placed on community supervision. Examine the process by which community supervision and corrections departments implement newly adopted policies.

· HB 650 and HB 3227, which relate to the welfare of confined females within the Texas Department of Criminal Justice (TDCJ). Monitor TDCJ rules regulating treatment of incarcerated women. Examine the process by which the department facilitates the educational, medical, and wellness needs of incarcerated pregnant women.

· HB 1191, which relates to an annual report concerning the number of inmates who have been in the conservatorship of a state agency responsible for providing child protective services. Monitor the TDCJ's collection of statistical information concerning the total number of inmates who have at any time been in the conservatorship of a state agency responsible for providing child protective services.

· SB 1147, which relates to conditions of community supervision for certain driving while intoxicated offenses. Monitor the implementation of the legislation and provide recommendations to improve access to treatment for defendants convicted of driving while intoxicated.