SENATE — NOTICE — OF PUBLIC HEARING

SENATE

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING

COMMITTEE:     Criminal Justice 

TIME & DATE:   9:00 AM, Tuesday, May 5, 2026 

PLACE:         E1.016 (Hearing Room) 
CHAIR:         Senator Pete Flores 

The Senate Committee on Criminal Justice will meet Tuesday, May 5th, at 9 am to hear invited and public testimony relating to 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.

Public Testimony will be limited to 2 minutes per person. If submitting written testimony please submit 14 copies with your name and organization on each copy.

NOTICE OF ASSISTANCE AT PUBLIC MEETINGS

PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES WHO PLAN TO ATTEND THIS MEETING AND WHO MAY NEED ASSISTANCE, SUCH AS A SIGN LANGUAGE INTERPRETER OR PERSONAL ASSISTIVE LISTENING DEVICES, ARE REQUESTED TO CONTACT THE SENATE COMMITTEE COORDINATOR AT 512/463-0070, 72 HOURS PRIOR TO THE MEETING SO APPROPRIATE ARRANGEMENTS CAN BE MADE.