Minutes for C5902026050509001

MINUTES

SENATE COMMITTEE ON CRIMINAL JUSTICE

Tuesday, May 5, 2026

9:00 AM

Capitol Extension, Room E1.016

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 Tuesday, May 5, 2026, in the Capitol Extension, Room E1.016, at Austin, Texas.

MEMBERS PRESENT:

MEMBERS ABSENT:

Senator Pete Flores, Chair

Senator Tan Parker, Vice Chair

Senator Brent Hagenbuch

Senator Juan Hinojosa

Senator Joan Huffman

Senator Phil King

Senator Borris Miles

The chair called the meeting to order at 9:00 AM. There being a quorum present, the following business was transacted:

The Clerk laid out the following interim charges:

Addressing Juvenile Violence: Study the growing violence among juveniles both in communities and state and county secure facilities. Examine the effectiveness of juvenile diversion programs, sentencing laws, and whether determinate sentences for all “3G” violent juvenile offenders would better ensure public safety. Make recommendations to improve juvenile outcomes and protect the public.

Protecting the Public From Violent Offenders Found Not Guilty By Reason of Insanity: Examine the policies and procedures of the Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) regarding murderers, robbers, rapists, and other violent offenders found not guilty by reason of insanity and entrusted to HHSC for mental health treatment in lieu of prison. Evaluate the community supervision recommendations made by HHSC to the courts for those found not guilty by reason of insanity, and whether those recommendations prioritize public safety. Make recommendations to emphasize and ensure public safety for victims and the community.

The Chair opened invited testimony on the charge of addressing juvenile violence.

The Chair closed invited testimony and opened public testimony on the topic. Witnesses testifying and registering on the topic are shown on the attached list.

The Chair moved that public testimony be closed; without objection, it was so ordered.

At 11:59 AM Senator Flores moved that the Committee stand recessed until 12:45 PM. Without objection, it was so ordered.

At 12:45 PM Senator Flores reconvened the meeting.

The Chair opened invited testimony on the charge of protecting the public from violent offenders fund not guilty by reason of insanity.

The Chair closed invited testimony and opened public testimony on the topic. Witnesses testifying and registering on the topic are shown on the attached list.

The Chair moved that public testimony be closed; without objection, it was so ordered.

There being no further business, at 2:16 PM, Senator Flores moved that the Committee stand recessed subject to the call of the chair. Without objection, it was so ordered.

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Senator Pete Flores, Chair

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Haylee Plumley, Clerk