88R11664 AMF-D
 
  By: Lopez of Bexar, Garcia H.B. No. 4283
 
 
 
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 
AN ACT
  relating to a study on the recidivism rate of defendants who
  complete a veterans treatment court program.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  Chapter 124, Government Code, is amended by
  adding Section 124.008 to read as follows:
         Sec. 124.008.  RECIDIVISM STUDY. (a)  In this section,
  "council" means the Texas Judicial Council.
         (b)  The council, in collaboration with the Texas Veterans
  Commission, shall conduct a study to evaluate the recidivism rate
  of defendants who successfully completed a veterans treatment court
  program in the preceding 10 years.  The report must include:
               (1)  the recidivism rate, calculated by determining
  from available information the percentage of defendants who have,
  since completing the program:
                     (A)  been arrested for an offense alleged to have
  been committed after the defendant completed the program;
                     (B)  been convicted of an offense committed after
  the defendant completed the program;
                     (C)  had a term of community supervision revoked
  due to a technical violation or commission of another offense
  committed after the defendant completed the program; and
                     (D)  had a term of parole or mandatory supervision
  revoked due to a technical violation or commission of another
  offense committed after the defendant completed the program;
               (2)  any apparent patterns in the recidivism rate for
  defendants based on the available information;
               (3)  a summary of any information the council
  determines is correlated with or otherwise relevant to the
  recidivism rate for defendants; and
               (4)  recommendations for:
                     (A)  further action to improve outcomes for
  defendants in the program; and
                     (B)  program goals to reduce the recidivism rate
  of defendants.
         (c)  The council may collaborate with any state or federal
  agency, county, or court as necessary to obtain the information
  described by Subsection (b). 
         (d)  Not later than January 1, 2025, the council shall
  prepare and submit to the governor and the legislature a written
  report containing the results of the study and any recommendations
  for legislative or other action.
         (e)  This section expires September 1, 2025.
         SECTION 2.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2023.