By: Hinojosa, et al.  S.B. No. 103
         (In the Senate - Filed November 13, 2006; January 29, 2007,
  read first time and referred to Committee on Criminal Justice;
  April 17, 2007, reported adversely, with favorable Committee
  Substitute by the following vote:  Yeas 5, Nays 0; April 17, 2007,
  sent to printer.)
 
  COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE FOR S.B. No. 103 By:  Hinojosa
 
 
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 
AN ACT
 
  relating to the Texas Youth Commission; providing penalties.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  Article 2.12, Code of Criminal Procedure, is
  amended to read as follows:
         Art. 2.12.  WHO ARE PEACE OFFICERS.  The following are peace
  officers:
               (1)  sheriffs, their deputies, and those reserve
  deputies who hold a permanent peace officer license issued under
  Chapter 1701, Occupations Code;
               (2)  constables, deputy constables, and those reserve
  deputy constables who hold a permanent peace officer license issued
  under Chapter 1701, Occupations Code;
               (3)  marshals or police officers of an incorporated
  city, town, or village, and those reserve municipal police officers
  who hold a permanent peace officer license issued under Chapter
  1701, Occupations Code;
               (4)  rangers and officers commissioned by the Public
  Safety Commission and the Director of the Department of Public
  Safety;
               (5)  investigators of the district attorneys', criminal
  district attorneys', and county attorneys' offices;
               (6)  law enforcement agents of the Texas Alcoholic
  Beverage Commission;
               (7)  each member of an arson investigating unit
  commissioned by a city, a county, or the state;
               (8)  officers commissioned under Section 37.081,
  Education Code, or Subchapter E, Chapter 51, Education Code;
               (9)  officers commissioned by the General Services
  Commission;
               (10)  law enforcement officers commissioned by the
  Parks and Wildlife Commission;
               (11)  airport police officers commissioned by a city
  with a population of more than 1.18 million that operates an airport
  that serves commercial air carriers;
               (12)  airport security personnel commissioned as peace
  officers by the governing body of any political subdivision of this
  state, other than a city described by Subdivision (11), that
  operates an airport that serves commercial air carriers;
               (13)  municipal park and recreational patrolmen and
  security officers;
               (14)  security officers and investigators commissioned
  as peace officers by the comptroller;
               (15)  officers commissioned by a water control and
  improvement district under Section 49.216, Water Code;
               (16)  officers commissioned by a board of trustees
  under Chapter 54, Transportation Code;
               (17)  investigators commissioned by the Texas Medical 
  [State] Board [of Medical Examiners];
               (18)  officers commissioned by the board of managers of
  the Dallas County Hospital District, the Tarrant County Hospital
  District, or the Bexar County Hospital District under Section
  281.057, Health and Safety Code;
               (19)  county park rangers commissioned under
  Subchapter E, Chapter 351, Local Government Code;
               (20)  investigators employed by the Texas Racing
  Commission;
               (21)  officers commissioned under Chapter 554,
  Occupations Code;
               (22)  officers commissioned by the governing body of a
  metropolitan rapid transit authority under Section 451.108,
  Transportation Code, or by a regional transportation authority
  under Section 452.110, Transportation Code;
               (23)  investigators commissioned by the attorney
  general under Section 402.009, Government Code;
               (24)  security officers and investigators commissioned
  as peace officers under Chapter 466, Government Code;
               (25)  an officer employed by the [Texas] Department of
  State Health Services under Section 431.2471, Health and Safety
  Code;
               (26)  officers appointed by an appellate court under
  Subchapter F, Chapter 53, Government Code;
               (27)  officers commissioned by the state fire marshal
  under Chapter 417, Government Code;
               (28)  an investigator commissioned by the commissioner
  of insurance under Section 701.104 [Article 1.10D], Insurance Code;
               (29)  apprehension specialists and inspectors general
  commissioned by the Texas Youth Commission as officers under
  Sections 61.0451 and [Section] 61.0931, Human Resources Code;
               (30)  officers appointed by the executive director of
  the Texas Department of Criminal Justice under Section 493.019,
  Government Code;
               (31)  investigators commissioned by the Commission on
  Law Enforcement Officer Standards and Education under Section
  1701.160, Occupations Code;
               (32)  commission investigators commissioned by the
  Texas [Commission on] Private Security Board under Section
  1702.061(f), Occupations Code;
               (33)  the fire marshal and any officers, inspectors, or
  investigators commissioned by an emergency services district under
  Chapter 775, Health and Safety Code; and
               (34)  officers commissioned by the State Board of
  Dental Examiners under Section 254.013, Occupations Code, subject
  to the limitations imposed by that section.
         SECTION 2.  Subsection (f), Article 61.10, Code of Criminal
  Procedure, is amended to read as follows:
         (f)  The task force shall consist of:
               (1)  a representative of the Department of Public
  Safety designated by the director of that agency;
               (2)  a representative of the Texas Department of
  Criminal Justice designated by the executive director of that
  agency;
               (3)  a representative of the Texas Youth Commission
  designated by the executive commissioner [director] of that agency;
               (4)  a representative of the Texas Juvenile Probation
  Commission designated by the executive director of that agency;
               (5)  a representative of the Criminal Justice Policy
  Council designated by the executive director of that agency;
               (6)  a representative of the office of the attorney
  general designated by the attorney general; and
               (7)  three local law enforcement or adult or juvenile
  community supervision personnel and a prosecuting attorney
  designated by the governor.
         SECTION 3.  Subsection (a), Article 104.003, Code of
  Criminal Procedure, is amended to read as follows:
         (a)  In a prosecution of a felony committed while the actor
  was a prisoner in the custody of the Texas Department of Criminal
  Justice, [Corrections or] a prosecution of an offense committed in
  the department by any person under Section 38.11, Penal Code
  [Chapter 21, Acts of 55th Legislature, Regular Session, 1957
  (Article 6184m, Vernon's Texas Civil Statutes)], [or] Chapter 481,
  Health and Safety Code, or Sections 485.031 through 485.035, Health
  and Safety Code, a prosecution of a criminal offense or delinquent
  conduct committed on property owned or operated by or under
  contract with the Texas Youth Commission, or a prosecution of a
  criminal offense or delinquent conduct committed by or against a
  person in the custody of the commission while the person was
  performing a duty away from commission property, the state shall
  reimburse the county for expenses incurred by the county, in an
  amount that the court determines to be reasonable, for payment of:
               (1)  salaries and expenses of foreign language
  interpreters and interpreters for deaf persons whose services are
  necessary to the prosecution;
               (2)  consultation fees of experts whose assistance is
  directly related to the prosecution;
               (3)  travel expenses for witnesses;
               (4)  expenses for the food, lodging, and compensation
  of jurors;
               (5)  compensation of witnesses;
               (6)  the cost of preparation of a statement of facts and
  a transcript of the trial for purposes of appeal;
               (7)  if the death of a person is an element of the
  offense, expenses of an inquest relating to the death;
               (8)  food, lodging, and travel expenses incurred by the
  prosecutor's staff during travel essential to the prosecution of
  the offense;
               (9)  court reporter's fees; and
               (10)  the cost of special security officers.
         SECTION 4.  Subsection (a), Section 37.203, Education Code,
  is amended to read as follows:
         (a)  The center is advised by a board of directors composed
  of:
               (1)  the attorney general, or the attorney general's
  designee;
               (2)  the commissioner, or the commissioner's designee;
               (3)  the executive director of the Texas Juvenile
  Probation Commission, or the executive director's designee;
               (4)  the executive commissioner [director] of the Texas
  Youth Commission, or the executive commissioner's [director's]
  designee;
               (5)  the commissioner of the Texas Department of Mental
  Health and Mental Retardation, or the commissioner's designee; and
               (6)  the following members appointed by the governor
  with the advice and consent of the senate:
                     (A)  a juvenile court judge;
                     (B)  a member of a school district's board of
  trustees;
                     (C)  an administrator of a public primary school;
                     (D)  an administrator of a public secondary
  school;
                     (E)  a member of the state parent-teacher
  association;
                     (F)  a teacher from a public primary or secondary
  school;
                     (G)  a public school superintendent who is a
  member of the Texas Association of School Administrators;
                     (H)  a school district police officer or a peace
  officer whose primary duty consists of working in a public school;
  and
                     (I)  two members of the public.
         SECTION 5.  Subsections (d), (o), and (u), Section 54.04,
  Family Code, are amended to read as follows:
         (d)  If the court or jury makes the finding specified in
  Subsection (c) allowing the court to make a disposition in the case:
               (1)  the court or jury may, in addition to any order
  required or authorized under Section 54.041 or 54.042, place the
  child on probation on such reasonable and lawful terms as the court
  may determine:
                     (A)  in the child's own home or in the custody of a
  relative or other fit person; or
                     (B)  subject to the finding under Subsection (c)
  on the placement of the child outside the child's home, in:
                           (i)  a suitable foster home; or
                           (ii)  a suitable public or private
  institution or agency, except the Texas Youth Commission;
               (2)  if the court or jury found at the conclusion of the
  adjudication hearing that the child engaged in delinquent conduct
  that violates a penal law of this state or the United States of the
  grade of felony [or, if the requirements of Subsection (s) or (t)
  are met, of the grade of misdemeanor,] and if the petition was not
  approved by the grand jury under Section 53.045, the court may
  commit the child to the Texas Youth Commission without a
  determinate sentence;
               (3)  if the court or jury found at the conclusion of the
  adjudication hearing that the child engaged in delinquent conduct
  that included a violation of a penal law listed in Section 53.045(a)
  and if the petition was approved by the grand jury under Section
  53.045, the court or jury may sentence the child to commitment in
  the Texas Youth Commission with a possible transfer to the
  [institutional division or the pardons and paroles division of the]
  Texas Department of Criminal Justice for a term of:
                     (A)  not more than 40 years if the conduct
  constitutes:
                           (i)  a capital felony;
                           (ii)  a felony of the first degree; or
                           (iii)  an aggravated controlled substance
  felony;
                     (B)  not more than 20 years if the conduct
  constitutes a felony of the second degree; or
                     (C)  not more than 10 years if the conduct
  constitutes a felony of the third degree;
               (4)  the court may assign the child an appropriate
  sanction level and sanctions as provided by the assignment
  guidelines in Section 59.003; or
               (5)  if applicable, the court or jury may make a
  disposition under Subsection (m).
         (o)  In a disposition under this title:
               (1)  a status offender may not, under any
  circumstances, be committed to the Texas Youth Commission for
  engaging in conduct that would not, under state or local law, be a
  crime if committed by an adult;
               (2)  a status offender may not, under any circumstances
  other than as provided under Subsection (n), be placed in a
  post-adjudication secure correctional facility; [and]
               (3)  a child adjudicated for contempt of a county,
  justice, or municipal court order may not, under any circumstances,
  be placed in a post-adjudication secure correctional facility or
  committed to the Texas Youth Commission for that conduct; and
               (4)  a child adjudicated as having engaged in
  delinquent conduct violating a penal law of this state or the United
  States of the grade of misdemeanor may not, under any
  circumstances, be committed to the Texas Youth Commission for that
  conduct.
         (u)  For the purposes of disposition under Subsection
  (d)(2), delinquent conduct that violates a penal law of this state
  of the grade of felony [or misdemeanor] does not include conduct
  that violates a lawful order of a county, municipal, justice, or
  juvenile court under circumstances that would constitute contempt
  of that court.
         SECTION 6.  Subsection (f), Section 54.05, Family Code, is
  amended to read as follows:
         (f)  Except as provided by Subsection (j), a disposition
  based on a finding that the child engaged in delinquent conduct that
  violates a penal law of this state or the United States of the grade
  of felony [or, if the requirements of Subsection (k) are met, of the
  grade of misdemeanor,] may be modified so as to commit the child to
  the Texas Youth Commission if the court after a hearing to modify
  disposition finds by a preponderance of the evidence that the child
  violated a reasonable and lawful order of the court. A disposition
  based on a finding that the child engaged in habitual felony conduct
  as described by Section 51.031 or in delinquent conduct that
  included a violation of a penal law listed in Section 53.045(a) may
  be modified to commit the child to the Texas Youth Commission with a
  possible transfer to the [institutional division or the pardons and
  paroles division of the] Texas Department of Criminal Justice for a
  definite term prescribed by Section 54.04(d)(3) if the original
  petition was approved by the grand jury under Section 53.045 and if
  after a hearing to modify the disposition the court finds that the
  child violated a reasonable and lawful order of the court.
         SECTION 7.  Section 41.102, Government Code, is amended by
  adding Subsection (c) to read as follows:
         (c)  The attorney general may offer to assist a prosecuting
  attorney in the prosecution of criminal offenses concerning the
  Texas Youth Commission.
         SECTION 8.  Chapter 325, Government Code, is amended by
  adding Section 325.0121 to read as follows:
         Sec. 325.0121.  STUDY ON TRANSITION TOWARD REGIONALIZED
  JUVENILE CORRECTIONS. (a)  The commission shall appoint an
  advisory committee as provided by this section to develop a
  practicable plan to move the Texas Youth Commission toward a
  regionalized structure of smaller facilities and more diversified
  treatment and placement options, taking into consideration the
  likely effects of this regionalized structure on:
               (1)  recidivism;
               (2)  juvenile and family access to services; and
               (3)  costs to this state and the counties of this state.
         (b)  The commission shall take into consideration the
  findings and recommendations of the advisory committee in its
  report to the legislature under Section 325.012 as part of its
  review of the Texas Youth Commission, which, as provided by Section
  61.020, Human Resources Code, is abolished September 1, 2009,
  unless continued in existence as provided by this chapter.
         (c)  The commission shall appoint an advisory committee not
  later than December 1, 2007.
         (d)  The advisory committee consists of nine members
  appointed by the commission in consultation with the Texas Youth
  Commission, Texas Juvenile Probation Commission, governor,
  lieutenant governor, and speaker of the house of representatives.  
  At least three of the members must be nationally recognized experts
  in the field of juvenile justice.  At least one of the members must
  be a recognized advocate for children.
         (e)  The chairman of the commission shall designate a
  presiding officer from among the members appointed to the advisory
  committee.
         (f)  The advisory committee shall convene at the call of the
  presiding officer.
         (g)  A member of the advisory committee may not receive
  compensation from the state for committee service but may receive
  reimbursement for travel to official meetings according to policies
  established by the commission.
         (h)  Not later than December 1, 2008, the advisory committee
  shall report the committee's findings and recommendations to the
  commission.
         (i)  This section expires September 1, 2009.
         SECTION 9.  Subsection (b), Section 497.052, Government
  Code, is amended to read as follows:
         (b)  The following individuals shall serve as ex officio
  members of the authority:
               (1)  a member of the house of representatives
  designated by the speaker of the house;
               (2)  a member of the senate designated by the
  lieutenant governor;
               (3)  the executive director of the Texas Department of
  Criminal Justice or the designee of the executive director;
               (4)  the executive director of the Texas Workforce
  Commission or the designee of the executive director; and
               (5)  the executive commissioner [director] of the Texas
  Youth Commission or the designee of the executive commissioner
  [director].
         SECTION 10.  Subdivision (9), Section 811.001, Government
  Code, is amended to read as follows:
               (9)  "Law enforcement officer" means a member of the
  retirement system who:
                     (A)  has been commissioned as a law enforcement
  officer by the Department of Public Safety, the Texas Alcoholic
  Beverage Commission, [or] the Parks and Wildlife Department, or the
  office of inspector general at the Texas Youth Commission; and
                     (B)  is recognized as a commissioned law
  enforcement officer by the Commission on Law Enforcement Officer
  Standards and Education.
         SECTION 11.  Subsection (b), Section 814.104, Government
  Code, is amended to read as follows:
         (b)  A member who is at least 55 years old and who has at
  least 10 years of service credit as a commissioned peace officer
  engaged in criminal law enforcement activities of the Department of
  Public Safety, the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission, [or] the
  Parks and Wildlife Department, or the office of inspector general
  at the Texas Youth Commission, or as a custodial officer, is
  eligible to retire and receive a service retirement annuity.
         SECTION 12.  Section 815.505, Government Code, is amended to
  read as follows:
         Sec. 815.505.  CERTIFICATION OF NAMES OF LAW ENFORCEMENT AND
  CUSTODIAL OFFICERS.  Not later than the 12th day of the month
  following the month in which a person begins or ceases employment as
  a law enforcement officer or custodial officer, the Public Safety
  Commission, the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission, the Parks and
  Wildlife Commission, the office of inspector general at the Texas
  Youth Commission, the Board of Pardons and Paroles, or the Texas
  Board of Criminal Justice, as applicable, shall certify to the
  retirement system, in the manner prescribed by the system, the name
  of the employee and such other information as the system determines
  is necessary for the crediting of service and financing of benefits
  under this subtitle.
         SECTION 13.  Subsection (a), Section 551.008, Health and
  Safety Code, is amended to read as follows:
         (a)  The department may transfer the South Campus of the
  Vernon State Hospital to the Texas Youth Commission contingent upon
  the agreement of the governing board of the department and the
  executive commissioner [governing board] of the Texas Youth
  Commission.
         SECTION 14.  Section 61.001, Human Resources Code, is
  amended by amending Subdivisions (2) and (4) and adding
  Subdivisions (7) and (8) to read as follows:
               (2)  "Advisory board" ["Board"] means the advisory
  [governing] board of the commission.
               (4)  "Executive commissioner [director]" means the
  executive commissioner [director] of the commission.
               (7)  "Office of inspector general" means the office of
  inspector general established under Section 61.0451.
               (8)  "Office of ombudsman" means the office of
  ombudsman established under Section 61.0452.
         SECTION 15.  Sections 61.012 and 61.0121, Human Resources
  Code, are amended to read as follows:
         Sec. 61.012.  EXECUTIVE COMMISSIONER [MEMBERS OF THE
  GOVERNING BOARD]. (a)  The [governing board of the] Texas Youth
  Commission is governed by an executive commissioner [consists of
  seven members] appointed by the governor with the consent of the
  senate. The appointment of the executive commissioner
  [Appointments to the board] shall be made without regard to the
  race, color, disability, sex, religion, age, or national origin of
  the appointee [appointees].
         (b)  [Members of the board must be citizens who are
  recognized within their communities for their interest in youth.
         [(c)]  The executive commissioner holds [board members hold]
  office for a term of not more than two years expiring February 1 of
  odd-numbered [staggered terms of six years, with the terms of two or
  three members expiring every two] years.
         (c)  The executive commissioner [(d) A member] is eligible
  for reappointment with the consent of the senate.
         (d)  The executive commissioner is a full-time state officer
  who is entitled to a salary and reimbursement for actual expenses
  incurred while on commission business.
         Sec. 61.0121.  QUALIFICATIONS FOR EXECUTIVE COMMISSIONER,
  ADVISORY BOARD MEMBERS, AND EMPLOYEES. (a)  A person is not
  eligible for appointment as executive commissioner or as a member
  of [to] the advisory board if the person or the person's spouse:
               (1)  is employed by or participates in the management
  of a business entity or other organization receiving funds from the
  commission;
               (2)  owns or controls, directly or indirectly, more
  than a 10 percent interest in a business entity or other
  organization receiving funds from the commission; or
               (3)  uses or receives a substantial amount of tangible
  goods, services, or funds from the commission, other than
  compensation or reimbursement authorized by law [for board
  membership, attendance, or expenses].
         (b)  An officer, employee, or paid consultant of a Texas
  trade association in the field of criminal or juvenile justice may
  not be the executive commissioner, a member of the advisory board,
  or an employee of the commission who is exempt from the state's
  position classification plan or is compensated at or above the
  amount prescribed by the General Appropriations Act for step 1,
  salary group 17, of the position classification salary schedule.
         (c)  A person who is the spouse of an officer, manager, or
  paid consultant of a Texas trade association in the field of
  criminal justice or juvenile justice may not be the executive
  commissioner, a member of the advisory board, or [and may not be] an
  employee of the commission who is exempt from the state's position
  classification plan or is compensated at or above the amount
  prescribed by the General Appropriations Act for step 1, salary
  group 17, of the position classification salary schedule.
         (d)  For the purposes of this section, a Texas trade
  association is a nonprofit, cooperative, and voluntarily joined
  association of business or professional competitors in this state
  designed to assist its members and its industry or profession in
  dealing with mutual business or professional problems and in
  promoting their common interest.
         (e)  A person may not be appointed as executive commissioner,
  serve as a member of the advisory board, or act as the general
  counsel to the executive commissioner, the advisory board, or the
  commission if the person is required to register as a lobbyist under
  Chapter 305, Government Code, because of the person's activities
  for compensation on behalf of a profession related to the operation
  of the commission.
         SECTION 16.  Subchapter B, Chapter 61, Human Resources Code,
  is amended by adding Section 61.0123 to read as follows:
         Sec. 61.0123.  REMOVAL FROM OFFICE:  EXECUTIVE COMMISSIONER.  
  (a)   It is a ground for removal from office as executive
  commissioner if the executive commissioner:
               (1)  does not have at the time of appointment the
  qualifications required by Section 61.0121(a) for appointment;
               (2)  does not maintain while serving as executive
  commissioner the qualifications required by Section 61.0121(a) for
  appointment; or
               (3)  violates a prohibition established by Section
  61.0121(b) or (c).
         (b)  The validity of an action of the executive commissioner
  is not affected by the fact that it was taken when a ground for
  removal existed.
         (c)  If the advisory board has knowledge that a potential
  ground for removal exists under this section, the chairman of the
  advisory board shall notify the executive commissioner, the
  governor, and the attorney general of the potential ground for
  removal.
         SECTION 17.  Sections 61.013, 61.0151, 61.019, 61.0191, and
  61.022, Human Resources Code, are amended to read as follows:
         Sec. 61.013.  ADVISORY BOARD [PRESIDING OFFICER; MEETINGS].
  (a)  An advisory board for the commission is established to:
               (1)  adopt policies and rules concerning any grievances
  and complaints concerning the commission, as provided by Section
  61.034;
               (2)  advise the executive commissioner on matters
  concerning the commission; and
               (3)  assist the executive commissioner in the
  performance of the executive commissioner's duties [The governor
  shall designate a member of the board as the chairman of the board
  to serve in that capacity at the pleasure of the governor].
         (b)  The advisory board is composed of nine members appointed
  by the governor with the consent of the senate. The governor shall
  designate a member of the advisory board as the chairman of the
  advisory board to serve in that capacity at the pleasure of the
  governor [The board shall meet at least four times each year].
         (c)  The appointment of a member of the advisory board shall
  be made without regard to the race, color, disability, sex,
  religion, age, or national origin of the appointee [A meeting shall
  be held on the call of the chairman or on the request of four members
  at the time and place designated by the chairman].
         (d)  Members of the advisory board must be citizens who are
  recognized within their communities for their interest in youth.
  At least one member of the advisory board must be a member of a child
  advocacy group and at least one member of the advisory board must be
  a member of a victim's advocacy organization. A majority of the
  members of the advisory board must be qualified, by experience or
  education, in the development and administration of programs for
  the rehabilitation and reestablishment in society of children in
  the custody of agencies similar in mission and scope to the
  commission.
         (e)  Advisory board members serve for terms of not more than
  two years expiring February 1 of odd-numbered years. An advisory
  board member is eligible for reappointment with the consent of the
  senate.
         (f)  The advisory board shall meet at least four times each
  year. A meeting shall be held at the call of the chairman or on the
  request of five members at a time and place designated by the
  chairman.
         (g)  Five members constitute a quorum for the exercise of
  functions of the advisory board described by Subsection (a)(1).
         (h)  Advisory board members are entitled to receive a per
  diem in the amount provided in the General Appropriations Act for
  not more than 90 days in any fiscal year, plus reimbursement for
  actual expenses incurred while on advisory board business.
         Sec. 61.0151.  REMOVAL FROM OFFICE:  ADVISORY BOARD MEMBERS.  
  (a)  It is a ground for removal from the advisory board if a member:
               (1)  does not have at the time of appointment the
  qualifications required by [Subsection (a) of] Section 61.0121(a)
  [61.0121 of this chapter] for appointment to the advisory board;
               (2)  does not maintain during the member's service on
  the advisory board the qualifications required by [Subsection (a)
  of] Section 61.0121(a) [61.0121 of this chapter] for appointment to
  the advisory board;
               (3)  violates a prohibition established by [Subsection
  (b) or (c) of] Section 61.0121(b) or (c) [61.0121 of this chapter];
               (4)  is unable to discharge the member's duties for a
  substantial part of the term for which the member was appointed
  because of illness or disability; or
               (5)  is absent from more than one-half of the regularly
  scheduled advisory board meetings that the member is eligible to
  attend during each calendar year, except when the absence is
  excused by majority vote of the advisory board.
         (b)  The validity of an action of the advisory board is not
  affected by the fact that it was taken when a ground for removal of a
  member of the advisory board existed.
         (c)  If the executive commissioner [director] has knowledge
  that a potential ground for removal exists, the executive
  commissioner [director] shall notify the chairman of the advisory 
  board of the potential ground. The chairman of the advisory board
  shall then notify the governor and the attorney general that a
  potential ground for removal exists. If the potential ground for
  removal involves the chairman, the executive commissioner
  [director] shall notify the next highest ranking officer of the
  advisory board, who shall notify the governor and the attorney
  general that a potential ground for removal exists.
         Sec. 61.019.  DELEGATION OF POWERS AND DUTIES. (a)  Any
  power, duty, or function of the commission that is not assigned by
  statute to the advisory board, the chief inspector general of the
  office of inspector general, or the chief ombudsman of the office of
  ombudsman [or of the board] may be exercised and performed by the
  executive commissioner.
         (b)  The executive commissioner may delegate to the advisory
  board or to [director or] any [member or] employee designated or
  assigned by the [board or by the] executive commissioner a power,
  duty, or function of the executive commissioner or the commission
  that is not already assigned by statute to the advisory board or
  that is not assigned by statute to the chief inspector general of
  the office of inspector general or the chief ombudsman of the office
  of ombudsman [director].
         Sec. 61.0191.  AUDIT; AUTHORITY OF STATE AUDITOR.  (a)  The
  financial transactions of the commission are subject to audit by
  the state auditor in accordance with Chapter 321, Government Code.
         (b)  The state auditor, on request of the office of inspector
  general, may provide information or other assistance to the office
  of inspector general that the state auditor determines is
  appropriate. The office of inspector general may coordinate with
  the state auditor to review or schedule a plan for an investigation
  under Section 61.0451 or share other information.
         (c)  The state auditor may access all information maintained
  by the office of inspector general, such as vouchers, electronic
  data, and internal records, including information that is otherwise
  confidential under state law. Information obtained by the state
  auditor under this subsection is confidential and is not subject to
  disclosure under Chapter 552, Government Code.
         (d)  Any provision of this chapter relating to the operations
  of the office of inspector general does not:
               (1)  supersede the authority of the state auditor to
  conduct an audit under Chapter 321, Government Code; or
               (2)  prohibit the state auditor from:
                     (A)  conducting an audit, investigation, or other
  review; or
                     (B)  having full and complete access to all
  records and other information concerning the commission, including
  any witness statement or electronic data, that the state auditor
  considers necessary for the audit, investigation, or review.
         Sec. 61.022.  ACCESSIBILITY TO PROGRAMS AND FACILITIES. The
  commission shall comply with federal and state laws related to
  program and facility accessibility. The executive commissioner
  [director] shall also prepare and maintain a written plan that
  describes how a person who does not speak English can be provided
  reasonable access to the commission's programs and services.
         SECTION 18.  Subchapter C, Chapter 61, Human Resources Code,
  is amended by adding Sections 61.0331 and 61.0332 to read as
  follows:
         Sec. 61.0331.  INTERNAL AUDIT; REPORT. (a)  The commission
  shall regularly conduct internal audits of the commission,
  including audits of:
               (1)  correctional facilities operated by and under
  contract with the commission; and
               (2)  medical services provided to children in the
  custody of the commission.
         (b)  The commission shall on a quarterly basis report the
  results of the audits to:
               (1)  the committees of the senate and house of
  representatives with primary jurisdiction over matters concerning
  correctional facilities; and
               (2)  the state auditor.
         Sec. 61.0332.  COMPLIANCE REPORTS. (a)  The commission
  shall provide the joint select committee on the operation and
  management of the Texas Youth Commission with reports concerning
  the progress of the commission in complying with the requirements
  of S.B. No. 103, Acts of the 80th Legislature, Regular Session,
  2007. The commission shall prepare and deliver the first report to
  the joint select committee on December 1, 2007, the second report to
  the joint select committee on June 1, 2008, and the final report to
  the joint select committee on December 1, 2008.
         (b)  This section expires January 1, 2009.
         SECTION 19.  Section 61.034, Human Resources Code, is
  amended to read as follows:
         Sec. 61.034.  POLICIES AND RULES.  (a)  Except as provided
  by Subsection (c), the executive commissioner [The commission] is
  responsible for the adoption of all policies and shall make rules
  appropriate to the proper accomplishment of the commission's [its]
  functions.
         (b)  The executive commissioner [commission] shall adopt
  rules for the government of the schools, facilities, and programs
  under the commission's [its] authority and shall see that the
  schools, facilities, and programs are conducted according to law
  and to the executive commissioner's and advisory board's
  [commission's] rules. The purpose of the rules and of all
  education, work, training, discipline, recreation, and other
  activities in the schools, facilities, and programs is to restore
  and increase the self-respect and self-reliance of the youth under
  the authority of the commission and to qualify them for good
  citizenship and honorable employment.
         (c)  The advisory board is responsible for the adoption of
  all policies relating to all grievances and complaints concerning
  the commission and shall adopt rules concerning grievance and
  complaint policies and procedures, including rules concerning the
  policies and procedures of the office of ombudsman.
         SECTION 20.  Subsection (b), Section 61.035, Human Resources
  Code, is amended to read as follows:
         (b)  Except as otherwise provided by this chapter, an
  employee of the commission is employed on an at-will basis [The
  commission may remove any employee for cause, and a decision by the
  commission is final].
         SECTION 21.  Sections 61.0351, 61.0352, and 61.0354, Human
  Resources Code, are amended to read as follows:
         Sec. 61.0351.  PROFESSIONAL INFORMATION FOR ADVISORY BOARD
  MEMBERS AND EMPLOYEES. The executive commissioner [director or the
  executive director's designee] shall provide to members of the
  advisory board and to commission employees, as often as is
  necessary, information regarding their qualification for office or
  employment under this chapter and their responsibilities under
  applicable laws relating to standards of conduct for state officers
  or employees.
         Sec. 61.0352.  DIVISION OF RESPONSIBILITY.  The executive
  commissioner [board] shall develop and implement policies that
  clearly separate the policymaking responsibilities of the
  executive commissioner, the policymaking responsibilities of the
  advisory board, and the management responsibilities of the
  [executive director and the] staff of the commission.
         Sec. 61.0354.  JOB PERFORMANCE EVALUATIONS. The executive
  commissioner [director or the executive director's designee] shall
  develop a system of annual performance evaluations that are based
  on documented employee performance.  All merit pay for commission
  employees must be based on the system established under this
  section.
         SECTION 22.  Subsection (a), Section 61.0355, Human
  Resources Code, is amended to read as follows:
         (a)  The executive commissioner [director or the executive
  director's designee] shall prepare and maintain a written policy
  statement to assure implementation of a program of equal employment
  opportunity under which all personnel transactions are made without
  regard to race, color, disability, sex, religion, age, or national
  origin. The policy statement shall include:
               (1)  personnel policies, including policies relating
  to recruitment, evaluation, selection, appointment, training, and
  promotion of personnel that are in compliance with requirements of
  Chapter 21, Labor Code;
               (2)  a comprehensive analysis of the commission's work
  force that meets federal or state laws, rules, and regulations and
  instructions promulgated directly from those laws, rules, and
  regulations;
               (3)  procedures by which a determination can be made
  about the extent of underuse in the commission's work force of all
  persons of whom federal or state laws, rules, and regulations and
  instructions promulgated directly from those laws, rules, and
  regulations encourage a more equitable balance; and
               (4)  reasonable methods to appropriately address those
  areas of underuse.
         SECTION 23.  Subchapter C, Chapter 61, Human Resources Code,
  is amended by adding Sections 61.0356, 61.0357, and 61.0386 to read
  as follows:
         Sec. 61.0356.  JUVENILE CORRECTIONAL OFFICERS; STAFFING.  
  (a)  In this section, "juvenile correctional officer" means an
  employee whose primary duty includes the custodial supervision of
  children in the custody of the commission.
         (b)  The commission shall provide each juvenile correctional
  officer employed by the commission with at least 300 hours of
  training before the officer independently commences the officer's
  duties at a facility.  The training must provide the officer with
  information and instruction related to the officer's duties,
  including information and instruction concerning:
               (1)  the juvenile justice system of this state,
  including the juvenile correctional facility system;
               (2)  security procedures;
               (3)  the supervision of children committed to the
  commission;
               (4)  signs of suicide risks and suicide precautions;
               (5)  signs and symptoms of the abuse, assault, neglect,
  and exploitation of a child, including sexual abuse and sexual
  assault, and the manner in which to report the abuse, assault,
  neglect, or exploitation of a child;
               (6)  the neurological, physical, and psychological
  development of adolescents;
               (7)  commission rules and regulations, including
  rules, regulations, and tactics concerning the use of force;
               (8)  appropriate restraint techniques;
               (9)  the Prison Rape Elimination Act of 2003 (42 U.S.C.
  Section 15601, et seq.);
               (10)  the rights and responsibilities of children in
  the custody of the commission;
               (11)  interpersonal relationship skills;
               (12)  the social and cultural lifestyles of children in
  the custody of the commission;
               (13)  first aid and cardiopulmonary resuscitation;
               (14)  counseling techniques;
               (15)  conflict resolution and dispute mediation,
  including de-escalation techniques;
               (16)  behavior management;
               (17)  mental health issues; and
               (18)  employee rights, employment discrimination, and
  sexual harassment.
         (c)  The commission may employ part-time juvenile
  correctional officers.  A part-time juvenile correctional officer
  is subject to the training requirements of this section.
         (d)  In each correctional facility operated by the
  commission that has a dormitory, including an open-bay dormitory,
  the commission must maintain a ratio of not less than one juvenile
  correctional officer performing direct supervisory duties for
  every 12 persons committed to the facility.
         (e)  The commission shall consider the age of a juvenile
  correctional officer or other commission employee who performs
  direct supervisory duties when determining the placement of the
  officer or employee in a commission facility so that, to the extent
  practicable, an officer or employee is not supervising a child who
  is not more than three years younger than the officer or employee or
  is otherwise a similar age to the officer or employee.
         (f)  The executive commissioner shall adopt rules necessary
  to administer this section.
         Sec. 61.0357.  NATIONAL CRIMINAL HISTORY RECORD INFORMATION
  REVIEW. (a)  In this section:
               (1)  "Department" means the Department of Public
  Safety.
               (2)  "National criminal history record information"
  means criminal history record information obtained from the
  department under Subchapter F, Chapter 411, Government Code, and
  from the Federal Bureau of Investigation under Section 411.087,
  Government Code.
         (b)  The executive commissioner shall review the national
  criminal history record information of each person who applies for
  employment with the commission. To enable the executive
  commissioner to conduct the review, the executive commissioner
  shall adopt rules requiring a person who applies for employment
  with the commission to electronically provide the commission with a
  complete set of the person's fingerprints in a form and of a quality
  acceptable to the department and the Federal Bureau of
  Investigation.
         (c)  The executive commissioner by rule may require a person
  who applies for employment with the commission to pay a fee related
  to the national criminal history record information review
  conducted under this section. The amount of the fee may not exceed
  the administrative costs incurred by the commission in conducting
  the review, including the costs of obtaining the person's
  fingerprints.
         (d)  The executive commissioner shall adopt rules necessary
  to administer this section.
         Sec. 61.0386.  ADVOCACY AND SUPPORT GROUPS. (a)  The
  commission shall allow advocacy and support groups whose primary
  functions are to benefit children, inmates, girls and women, the
  mentally ill, and victims of sexual assault to provide on-site
  information, support, and other services for children confined in
  commission facilities.
         (b)  The commission shall adopt security and privacy
  procedures for advocacy and support groups that provide on-site
  information, support, and other services under this section. The
  security and privacy procedures may not be designed to deny an
  advocacy or support group access to children confined in commission
  facilities.
         (c)  The commission shall adopt standards consistent with
  standards adopted by the Texas Department of Criminal Justice
  regarding the confidential correspondence of children confined in
  commission facilities with external entities, including advocacy
  and support groups.
         SECTION 24.  Sections 61.0423 and 61.044, Human Resources
  Code, are amended to read as follows:
         Sec. 61.0423.  PUBLIC HEARINGS. (a)  The executive
  commissioner [board] shall develop and implement policies that
  provide the public with a reasonable opportunity to appear before
  the executive commissioner or the executive commissioner's
  designee [board] and to speak on any issue under the jurisdiction of
  the commission that is not under the jurisdiction of the advisory
  board.
         (b)  The advisory board shall develop and implement policies
  that provide the public with a reasonable opportunity to appear
  before the advisory board and to speak on any issue under the
  jurisdiction of the advisory board.
         Sec. 61.044.  BIENNIAL BUDGET. [DUTIES OF EXECUTIVE
  DIRECTOR.   (a)     The executive director shall perform the duties
  assigned by the commission.
         [(b)]  The executive commissioner [director] shall prepare
  [and submit to the commission for its approval] a biennial budget of
  all funds necessary to be appropriated by the legislature to the
  commission to carry out the purposes of this chapter. The budget
  shall be submitted and filed by the executive commissioner 
  [commission] in the form and manner and within the time prescribed
  by law.
         SECTION 25.  Subchapter C, Chapter 61, Human Resources Code,
  is amended by adding Sections 61.0451 and 61.0452 to read as
  follows:
         Sec. 61.0451.  OFFICE OF INSPECTOR GENERAL. (a)  The office
  of inspector general is established at the commission for the
  purpose of investigating:
               (1)  fraud committed by commission employees,
  including parole officers employed by or under a contract with the
  commission; and
               (2)  crimes committed at a facility operated by the
  commission or at a residential facility operated by another entity
  under a contract with the commission.
         (b)  The office of inspector general shall prepare and
  deliver a report concerning the results of any investigation
  conducted under this section to:
               (1)  the executive commissioner;
               (2)  the advisory board;
               (3)  the governor;
               (4)  the lieutenant governor;
               (5)  the speaker of the house of representatives;
               (6)  the standing committees of the senate and house of
  representatives with primary jurisdiction over matters concerning
  correctional facilities;
               (7)  the special prosecution unit;
               (8)  the state auditor; and
               (9)  any other appropriate state agency responsible for
  licensing or certifying commission employees or facilities.
         (c)  The report prepared under Subsection (b) must include a
  summary of the actions performed by the office of inspector general
  in conducting the investigation, a statement of whether the
  investigation resulted in a finding that fraud or a criminal
  offense occurred, and a description of the finding. The report is
  public information under Chapter 552, Government Code, only to the
  extent authorized under that chapter and other law.
         (d)  The office of inspector general may employ and
  commission inspectors general as peace officers for the purpose of
  carrying out the duties described by this section. An inspector
  general shall have all of the powers and duties given to peace
  officers under Article 2.13, Code of Criminal Procedure.
         (e)  Peace officers employed and commissioned under
  Subsection (d) must:
               (1)  be certified by the Commission on Law Enforcement
  Officer Standards and Education under Chapter 1701, Occupations
  Code; and
               (2)  complete advanced courses relating to the duties
  of peace officers employed and commissioned under Subsection (d) as
  part of any continuing education requirements for the peace
  officers.
         (f)  The executive commissioner shall select a commissioned
  peace officer as chief inspector general.  The chief inspector
  general is subject to the requirements of this section and may only
  be discharged for cause.
         (g)  The chief inspector general shall on a quarterly basis
  prepare and deliver a report concerning the operations of the
  office of inspector general to:
               (1)  the executive commissioner;
               (2)  the advisory board;
               (3)  the governor;
               (4)  the lieutenant governor;
               (5)  the speaker of the house of representatives;
               (6)  the standing committees of the senate and house of
  representatives with primary jurisdiction over correctional
  facilities;
               (7)  the state auditor; and
               (8)  the comptroller.
         (h)  A report prepared under Subsection (g) is public
  information under Chapter 552, Government Code, to the extent
  authorized under that chapter and other law, and the commission
  shall publish the report on the commission's Internet website. A
  report must be both aggregated and disaggregated by individual
  facility and include information relating to:
               (1)  the types of investigations conducted by the
  office of inspector general, such as whether an investigation
  concerned narcotics or an alleged incident of sexual abuse;
               (2)  the relationship of a victim to a perpetrator, if
  applicable; and
               (3)  the number of investigations conducted concerning
  suicides, deaths, and hospitalizations of children in the custody
  of the commission.
         (i)  The office of inspector general shall immediately
  report to the executive commissioner, the advisory board, the
  governor's general counsel, and the state auditor any particularly
  serious or flagrant problem concerning the administration of a
  commission program or operation or any interference by the
  executive commissioner or an employee of the commission with an
  investigation conducted by the office.
         Sec. 61.0452.  OFFICE OF OMBUDSMAN. (a)  The office of
  ombudsman is established at the commission for the purpose of:
               (1)  evaluating the delivery of services to children
  committed to the commission;
               (2)  receiving and reviewing complaints concerning
  commission actions;
               (3)  conducting investigations of complaints if the
  office determines that:
                     (A)  a child committed to the commission or the
  child's family may be in need of assistance from the office; or
                     (B)  a systemic issue in the commission's
  provision of services is raised by a complaint;
               (4)  making an appropriate referral or providing
  assistance to a child committed to the commission or to the child's
  family if after an investigation the ombudsman determines the child
  or the child's family is in need of assistance;
               (5)  advocating the best interests of the child in the
  process of providing assistance to a child or the child's family;
               (6)  periodically reviewing facilities operated by or
  under contract with the commission and the operating procedures of
  such facilities;
               (7)  supervising advocates in their representation of
  children committed to the commission in internal administrative and
  disciplinary hearings; and
               (8)  taking appropriate actions to advise children
  committed to the commission, the parents or guardians of the
  children, and commission employees of the services of the office of
  ombudsman, the purpose of the office, and the procedures to follow
  in contacting the office.
         (b)  The office of ombudsman shall report the results of an
  investigation conducted under this section to the executive
  commissioner, the advisory board, and the standing committees of
  the senate and house of representatives with primary jurisdiction
  over matters concerning correctional facilities.
         (c)  Notwithstanding any other law, the office of ombudsman
  may access, inspect, or copy any record necessary to carry out the
  responsibilities provided under this section.
         (d)  In performing the responsibilities provided under this
  section, an employee of the office of ombudsman may communicate
  privately with a person who has received or is receiving services
  from the commission. A communication described by this subsection
  is confidential and not subject to disclosure under Chapter 552,
  Government Code.
         (e)  The name, address, or other personally identifiable
  information of a person who files a complaint with the office of
  ombudsman, information generated by the office of ombudsman in the
  course of an investigation, and confidential records obtained by
  the office of ombudsman are confidential and not subject to
  disclosure under Chapter 552, Government Code, except that the
  information and records, other than confidential information and
  records concerning a pending law enforcement investigation or
  criminal action, may be disclosed to the appropriate person if the
  office determines that disclosure is:
               (1)  in the general public interest;
               (2)  necessary to enable the office to perform the
  responsibilities provided under this section; or
               (3)  necessary to identify, prevent, or treat the abuse
  or neglect of a child.
         (f)  The commission may not discharge or in any manner
  discriminate or retaliate against an employee who in good faith
  makes a complaint to the office of ombudsman or cooperates with the
  office in an investigation.
         (g)  The executive commissioner shall select a chief
  ombudsman.  The chief ombudsman may only be discharged for cause.
         SECTION 26.  Subchapter D, Chapter 61, Human Resources Code,
  is amended by adding Sections 61.061 and 61.062 to read as follows:
         Sec. 61.061.  PLACEMENT RESTRICTIONS IN COMMISSION
  FACILITIES.  (a)  The commission may not assign a male child
  younger than 15 years of age to the same correctional facility
  dormitory as a person who is at least 17 years of age unless the
  commission determines that the placement is necessary to ensure the
  safety of children in the custody of the commission.  This
  subsection does not apply to a dormitory that is used exclusively
  for short-term assessment and orientation purposes.
         (b)  The executive commissioner by rule shall adopt
  scheduling, housing, and placement procedures for the purpose of
  protecting vulnerable children in the custody of the commission.
  The procedures must address the age, physical condition, and
  treatment needs of a child as well as any other relevant factor.
         Sec. 61.062.  ESTABLISHMENT OF MINIMUM LENGTH OF STAY.  
  (a)  The commission shall establish a minimum length of stay for
  each child committed to the commission without a determinate
  sentence.
         (b)  In establishing a minimum length of stay for a child,
  the commission shall consider:
               (1)  the nature of and seriousness of the conduct
  engaged in by the child; and
               (2)  the danger the child poses to the community.
         SECTION 27.  Sections 61.071 and 61.072, Human Resources
  Code, are amended to read as follows:
         Sec. 61.071.  INITIAL EXAMINATION. (a)  The commission
  shall examine and make a study of each child committed to it as soon
  as possible after commitment.  The study shall be made according to
  rules established by the commission and shall include:
               (1)  long-term planning for the child; and
               (2)  consideration of the child's medical and treatment
  history[, including a determination of whether the child will need
  long-term residential care].
         (b)  For a child for whom a minimum length of stay is
  established under Section 61.062 of one year or longer, the initial
  examination must include a comprehensive psychiatric evaluation.
         (c)  The commission shall administer comprehensive
  psychological assessments to a child as part of the child's initial
  examination, including assessments designed to identify whether a
  child is in need of a psychiatric evaluation.  If the results of a
  child's psychological assessments indicate that the child is in
  need of a psychiatric evaluation, the commission shall as soon as
  practicable conduct a psychiatric evaluation of the child.
         Sec. 61.072.  REEXAMINATION.  The commission shall
  periodically reexamine each child under its control, except those
  on release under supervision or in foster homes, for the purpose of
  determining whether a rehabilitation plan made by the commission
  concerning the child should be modified or continued.  The
  examination must include a study of all current circumstances of a
  child's personal and family situation and an evaluation of the
  progress made by the child since the child's last examination. The
  examination of a child may be made as frequently as the commission
  considers necessary [desirable], but shall be made at intervals not
  exceeding six months [one year].
         SECTION 28.  Section 61.0731, Human Resources Code, is
  amended by adding Subsection (c) to read as follows:
         (c)  The commission may disclose to a peace officer or law
  enforcement agency images of children recorded by an electronic
  recording device and incident reporting and investigation
  documents containing the names of children if the information is
  relevant to the investigation of a criminal offense alleged to have
  occurred in a facility operated by or under contract with the
  commission.
         SECTION 29.  Subchapter E, Chapter 61, Human Resources Code,
  is amended by adding Sections 61.0763 and 61.0764 to read as
  follows:
         Sec. 61.0763.  RIGHTS OF PARENTS. (a)  The commission shall
  develop a parent's bill of rights for distribution to the parent or
  guardian of a child who is under 18 years of age and committed to the
  commission. The parent's bill of rights must include:
               (1)  a description of the commission's grievance
  policies and procedures, including contact information for the
  office of inspector general and the office of ombudsman;
               (2)  a list of possible incidents that require parental
  notification;
               (3)  policies concerning visits and telephone
  conversations with a child committed to the commission;
               (4)  a description of commission caseworker
  responsibilities; and
               (5)  a statement that the commission caseworker
  assigned to a child may assist the child's parent or guardian in
  obtaining information and services from the commission and other
  resources concerning:
                     (A)  counseling, including substance abuse and
  mental health counseling;
                     (B)  assistance programs, including financial and
  travel assistance programs for visiting a child committed to the
  commission;
                     (C)  workforce preparedness programs;
                     (D)  parenting programs; and
                     (E)  commission seminars.
         (b)  Not later than 48 hours after the time a child is
  admitted to a commission facility, the commission shall mail to the
  child's parent or guardian at the last known address of the parent
  or guardian:
               (1)  the parent's bill of rights; and
               (2)  the contact information of the commission
  caseworker assigned to the child.
         (c)  The commission shall on a quarterly basis provide to the
  parent, guardian, or designated advocate of a child who is in the
  custody of the commission a report concerning the progress of the
  child at the commission, including:
               (1)  the academic and behavioral progress of the child;
  and
               (2)  the results of any reexamination of the child
  conducted under Section 61.072.
         Sec. 61.0764.  COMMISSION CASEWORKERS. (a)  The commission
  shall assign a caseworker to a child committed to the commission. A
  commission caseworker shall:
               (1)  explore family issues and needs with the parent or
  guardian of a child committed to the commission;
               (2)  as needed, provide the parent or guardian of a
  child committed to the commission with information concerning
  programs and services provided by the commission or another
  resource; and
               (3)  perform other duties required by the commission.
         (b)  A commission caseworker shall:
               (1)  at least once a month, attempt to contact the
  child's parent or guardian by phone, in person while the parent or
  guardian is visiting the facility, or, if necessary, by mail;
               (2)  if unsuccessful in contacting the child's parent
  or guardian under Subdivision (1), attempt at least one additional
  time each month to contact the child's parent or guardian; and
               (3)  document successful as well as unsuccessful
  attempts to contact the child's parent or guardian.
         (c)  To the extent practicable, a caseworker or another
  facility administrator shall attempt to communicate with a parent
  or guardian who does not speak English in the native language of the
  parent or guardian.
         SECTION 30.  Subsection (a), Section 61.079, Human Resources
  Code, is amended to read as follows:
         (a)  After a child sentenced to commitment under Section
  54.04(d)(3), 54.04(m), or 54.05(f), Family Code, becomes 16 years
  of age but before the child becomes 19 [21] years of age, the
  commission may refer the child to the juvenile court that entered
  the order of commitment for approval of the child's transfer to the
  [institutional division of the] Texas Department of Criminal
  Justice for confinement if:
               (1)  the child has not completed the sentence; and
               (2)  the child's conduct, regardless of whether the
  child was released under supervision under Section 61.081,
  indicates that the welfare of the community requires the transfer.
         SECTION 31.  Subchapter E, Chapter 61, Human Resources Code,
  is amended by adding Section 61.0791 to read as follows:
         Sec. 61.0791.  EVALUATION OF CERTAIN CHILDREN SERVING
  DETERMINATE SENTENCES.  (a)  When a child who is sentenced to
  commitment under Section 54.04(d)(3), 54.04(m), or 54.05(f),
  Family Code, becomes 18 years of age, the commission shall evaluate
  whether the child is in need of additional services that can be
  completed in the six-month period after the child's 18th birthday
  to prepare the child for release from the custody of the commission
  or transfer to the Texas Department of Criminal Justice.
         (b)  This section does not apply to a child who is released
  from the custody of the commission or who is transferred to the
  Texas Department of Criminal Justice before the child's 18th
  birthday.
         SECTION 32.  Subchapter F, Chapter 61, Human Resources Code,
  is amended by adding Sections 61.0814 and 61.0815 to read as
  follows:
         Sec. 61.0814.  REENTRY AND REINTEGRATION PLAN. The
  commission shall develop a reentry and reintegration plan for each
  child committed to the custody of the commission. The plan for a
  child must include, as applicable:
               (1)  housing assistance;
               (2)  a step-down program, such as placement in a
  halfway house;
               (3)  family counseling;
               (4)  academic and vocational mentoring;
               (5)  trauma counseling for a child who is a victim of
  abuse while in the custody of the commission; and
               (6)  other specialized treatment services appropriate
  for the child.
         Sec. 61.0815.  COMPLETION OF MINIMUM LENGTH OF STAY.
  (a)  After a child who is committed to the commission without a
  determinate sentence completes the minimum length of stay
  established by the commission for the child under Section 61.062,
  the commission shall, in the manner provided by this section:
               (1)  discharge the child from the custody of the
  commission;
               (2)  release the child under supervision under Section
  61.081; or
               (3)  extend the length of the child's stay in the
  custody of the commission.
         (b)  The executive commissioner by rule shall establish a
  panel whose function is to review and determine whether a child who
  has completed the child's minimum length of stay should be
  discharged from the custody of the commission as provided by
  Subsection (a)(1), be released under supervision under Section
  61.081 as provided by Subsection (a)(2), or remain in the custody of
  the commission for an additional period of time as provided by
  Subsection (a)(3).
         (c)  The executive commissioner shall determine the size of
  the panel and the length of the members' terms of service on the
  panel. The panel must consist of an odd number of members and the
  terms of the panel's members must last for at least two years. A
  member of the panel is an employee of the commission and may not be
  involved in any supervisory decisions concerning children in the
  custody of the commission. The executive commissioner shall adopt
  policies that ensure the transparency, consistency, and
  objectivity of the panel's composition, procedures, and decisions.
  The executive commissioner shall appoint persons to serve as
  members of the panel.
         (d)  The panel may extend the length of the child's stay as
  provided by Subsection (a)(3) only if the panel determines by
  majority vote and on the basis of clear and convincing evidence that
  the child is in need of additional rehabilitation from the
  commission and that the commission will provide the most suitable
  environment for that rehabilitation. In extending the length of a
  child's stay, the panel must specify the additional period of time
  that the child is to remain in the custody of the commission and
  must conduct an additional review and determination as provided by
  this section on the child's completion of the additional term of
  stay. If the panel determines that the child's length of stay
  should not be extended, the commission must discharge the child
  from the custody of the commission as provided by Subsection (a)(1)
  or release the child under supervision under Section 61.081 as
  provided by Subsection (a)(2).
         (e)  The commission shall maintain statistics of the number
  of extensions granted by the panel. The statistics must include
  aggregated information concerning:
               (1)  the race, sex, specialized treatment needs, and
  county of origin for each child for whom an extension order is
  requested;
               (2)  the facility in which the child is confined; and
               (3)  if applicable, any allegations concerning the
  abuse, mistreatment, or neglect of the child, aggregated by the
  type of misconduct to which the child was subjected.
         (f)  To the extent authorized under law, the statistics
  maintained under Subsection (e) are public information under
  Chapter 552, Government Code, and the commission shall post the
  statistics on the commission's Internet website. The commission
  shall prepare and deliver to the standing committees of the senate
  and house of representatives with primary jurisdiction over matters
  concerning correctional facilities a report concerning the
  statistics maintained under Subsection (e).
         (g)  The commission shall provide a report to the parent,
  guardian, or designated advocate of a child whose length of stay is
  extended under this section explaining the panel's reason for the
  extension.
         SECTION 33.  Subsections (e) and (g), Section 61.084, Human
  Resources Code, are amended to read as follows:
         (e)  Except as provided by Subsection [(f) or] (g), the
  commission shall discharge from its custody a person not already
  discharged on the person's 19th [21st] birthday.
         (g)  The commission shall transfer a person who has been
  sentenced under a determinate sentence to commitment under Section
  54.04(d)(3), 54.04(m), or 54.05(f), Family Code, or who has been
  returned to the commission under Section 54.11(i)(1), Family Code,
  to the custody of the [pardons and paroles division of the] Texas
  Department of Criminal Justice on the person's 19th [21st]
  birthday, if the person has not already been discharged or
  transferred, to serve the remainder of the person's sentence on
  parole as provided by Section 508.156, Government Code.
         SECTION 34.  Subsection (a), Section 61.0841, Human
  Resources Code, is amended to read as follows:
         (a)  Not later than the 90th day before the date the
  commission transfers a person to the custody of [the pardons and
  paroles division of] the Texas Department of Criminal Justice for
  release on parole under Section 61.081(f) or 61.084(g) [61.084(f)
  or (g)], the commission shall submit to the department all
  pertinent information relating to the person, including:
               (1)  the juvenile court judgment;
               (2)  the circumstances of the person's offense;
               (3)  the person's previous social history and juvenile
  court records;
               (4)  the person's physical and mental health record;
               (5)  a record of the person's conduct, employment
  history, and attitude while committed to the commission;
               (6)  a record of the sentence time served by the person
  at the commission and in a juvenile detention facility in
  connection with the conduct for which the person was adjudicated;
  and
               (7)  any written comments or information provided by
  the commission, local officials, family members of the person, [or]
  victims of the offense, or the general public.
         SECTION 35.  Subsection (a), Section 61.093, Human Resources
  Code, is amended to read as follows:
         (a)  If a child who has been committed to the commission and
  placed by it in any institution or facility has escaped or has been
  released under supervision and broken the conditions of release:
               (1)  a sheriff, deputy sheriff, constable, or police
  officer may, without a warrant, arrest the child; or
               (2)  a parole officer or other commission employee
  designated by the executive commissioner [director] may, without a
  warrant or other order, take the child into the custody of the
  commission.
         SECTION 36.  Subchapter G, Chapter 61, Human Resources Code,
  is amended by adding Section 61.098 to read as follows:
         Sec. 61.098.  PROSECUTION OF CERTAIN CRIMES CONCERNING THE
  COMMISSION.  (a)  As appropriate, the district attorney, criminal
  district attorney, or county attorney performing the duties of a
  district attorney who would otherwise represent the state in the
  prosecution of an offense or delinquent conduct concerning the
  commission and described by Article 104.003(a), Code of Criminal
  Procedure, may request that the special prosecution unit prosecute
  the offense or delinquent conduct.
         (b)  The special prosecution unit shall on a quarterly basis
  provide the executive commissioner and the standing committees of
  the senate and house of representatives with primary jurisdiction
  over matters concerning correctional facilities with a report
  concerning offenses or delinquent conduct prosecuted by the special
  prosecution unit on receiving a request for assistance under this
  section. A report under this subsection is public information
  under Chapter 552, Government Code, and the commission shall
  publish the report on the commission's Internet website. A report
  must be both aggregated and disaggregated by individual facility
  and include information relating to:
               (1)  the number of requests for assistance received
  under this section;
               (2)  the number of cases investigated and the number of
  cases prosecuted on receiving a request for assistance under this
  section;
               (3)  the types and outcomes of cases prosecuted by the
  special prosecution unit on receiving a request for assistance
  under this section, such as whether the case concerned narcotics or
  an alleged incident of sexual abuse; and
               (4)  the relationship of a victim to a perpetrator, if
  applicable.
         SECTION 37.  Subsection (a), Section 141.022, Human
  Resources Code, is amended to read as follows:
         (a)  The advisory council on juvenile services consists of:
               (1)  two juvenile court judges, appointed by the
  commission;
               (2)  three juvenile probation officers, appointed by
  the commission;
               (3)  two citizens who are knowledgeable of juvenile
  services, appointed by the commission;
               (4)  the executive commissioner [director] of the Texas
  Youth Commission or the commissioner's [director's] designee;
               (5)  the commissioner of education or the
  commissioner's designee; and
               (6)  the commissioner of human services or the
  commissioner's designee.
         SECTION 38.  Subsection (b), Section 141.047, Human
  Resources Code, is amended to read as follows:
         (b)  The director, the executive commissioner [director] of
  the Texas Youth Commission, and the commissioners of education,
  mental health and mental retardation, and human services shall meet
  in Austin at least quarterly to:
               (1)  discuss mutual problems;
               (2)  resolve conflicts in providing services to
  juveniles; and
               (3)  make recommendations to the governor and
  legislature.
         SECTION 39.  Subsection (c), Section 141.0471, Human
  Resources Code, is amended to read as follows:
         (c)  The governing board of the Texas Juvenile Probation
  Commission and the executive commissioner of the Texas Youth
  Commission [each agency] shall adopt the coordinated strategic plan
  on or before December 1st of each odd-numbered year, or before the
  adoption of the agency's individual strategic plan, whichever is
  earlier.
         SECTION 40.  Subsection (c), Section 110.302, Occupations
  Code, is amended to read as follows:
         (c)  The Texas Board of Criminal Justice may vote or the
  executive commissioner [governing board] of the Texas Youth
  Commission may decide [vote] to exempt employees of the Texas
  Department of Criminal Justice or the Texas Youth Commission, as
  appropriate, from a specific licensing requirement imposed under
  this section if the board or executive commissioner determines that
  the requirement causes financial or operational hardship on the
  agency.
         SECTION 41.  Subsections (b) and (d), Section 39.04, Penal
  Code, are amended to read as follows:
         (b)  An offense under Subsection (a)(1) is a Class A
  misdemeanor. An offense under Subsection (a)(2) is a state jail
  felony, except that an offense under Subsection (a)(2) is a felony
  of the second degree if the individual is in the custody of the
  Texas Youth Commission.
         (d)  The Attorney General of Texas shall have concurrent
  jurisdiction with law enforcement agencies to investigate
  violations of this statute involving serious bodily injury or
  death, except that the attorney general shall have concurrent
  jurisdiction with law enforcement agencies to investigate any
  violation of this statute involving an individual in the custody of
  the Texas Youth Commission.
         SECTION 42.  Section 43.25, Penal Code, is amended by
  amending Subdivision (1) and adding Subdivision (8) to read as
  follows:
               (1)  "Sexual performance" means any performance or part
  thereof that includes sexual conduct by a child [younger than 18
  years of age].
               (8)  "Child" means a person who is:
                     (A)  younger than 18 years of age; or
                     (B)  in the custody of the Texas Youth Commission.
         SECTION 43.  Section 43.25, Penal Code, is amended by
  amending Subsections (b), (d), and (g) and adding Subsection (f-1)
  to read as follows:
         (b)  A person commits an offense if, knowing the character
  and content thereof, he employs, authorizes, or induces a child
  [younger than 18 years of age] to engage in sexual conduct or a
  sexual performance. A parent or legal guardian or custodian of a
  child [younger than 18 years of age] commits an offense if he
  consents to the participation by the child in a sexual performance.
         (d)  A person commits an offense if, knowing the character
  and content of the material, he produces, directs, or promotes a
  performance that includes sexual conduct by a child [younger than
  18 years of age].
         (f-1)  The affirmative defense to prosecution provided by
  Subsection (f)(3) does not apply to the prosecution of an alleged
  offense involving a child in the custody of the Texas Youth
  Commission.
         (g)  When it becomes necessary for the purposes of this
  section or Section 43.26 to determine the age of [whether] a child
  who participated in sexual conduct [was younger than 18 years of
  age], the court or jury may make this determination by any of the
  following methods:
               (1)  personal inspection of the child;
               (2)  inspection of the photograph or motion picture
  that shows the child engaging in the sexual performance;
               (3)  oral testimony by a witness to the sexual
  performance as to the age of the child based on the child's
  appearance at the time;
               (4)  expert medical testimony based on the appearance
  of the child engaging in the sexual performance; or
               (5)  any other method authorized by law or by the rules
  of evidence at common law.
         SECTION 44.  The following laws are repealed:
               (1)  Subsections (s) and (t), Section 54.04, Family
  Code;
               (2)  Subsection (k), Section 54.05, Family Code; and
               (3)  Subdivision (3), Section 61.001, Sections
  61.0122, 61.014, 61.015, and 61.017, and Subsection (f), Section
  61.084, Human Resources Code.
         SECTION 45.  A person committed to the Texas Youth
  Commission on the basis of conduct constituting the commission of
  an offense of the grade of misdemeanor under Subdivision (2),
  Subsection (d), Section 54.04, Family Code, as it existed before
  the effective date of this Act, must be discharged from the custody
  of the Texas Youth Commission not later than the person's 19th
  birthday.
         SECTION 46.  The change in law made by this Act to Subsection
  (b), Section 39.04 and Section 43.25, Penal Code, applies only to an
  offense committed on or after September 1, 2007. An offense
  committed before September 1, 2007, is governed by the law in effect
  when the offense was committed, and the former law is continued in
  effect for that purpose. For purposes of this section, an offense
  was committed before September 1, 2007, if any element of the
  offense occurred before that date.
         SECTION 47.  (a)  Section Subsection (b), 61.0356, Human
  Resources Code, as added by this Act, applies only to a juvenile
  correctional officer hired by the Texas Youth Commission on or
  after the effective date of this Act.  As soon as practicable but
  not later than six months after the effective date of this Act, the
  Texas Youth Commission shall complete providing the training to
  juvenile correctional officers hired before the effective date of
  this Act that is necessary to conform to the requirements of
  Subsection (b), Section 61.0356, Human Resources Code, as added by
  this Act.
         (b)  As soon as practicable after the effective date of this
  Act, the Texas Youth Commission shall ensure that:
               (1)  each correctional facility operated by the
  commission that has a dormitory, including an open-bay dormitory,
  has a ratio of not less than one juvenile correctional officer
  performing direct supervisory duties for every 12 children
  committed to the facility, as required by Subsection (d), Section
  61.0356, Human Resources Code, as added by this Act; and
               (2)  male children younger than 15 years of age are
  assigned to separate correctional facility dorms from persons who
  are at least 17 years of age as required by Section 61.061, Human
  Resources Code, as added by this Act.
         SECTION 48.  As soon as practicable after the effective date
  of this Act, the governor shall appoint:
               (1)  the executive commissioner of the Texas Youth
  Commission, as required by Section 61.012, Human Resources Code, as
  amended by this Act, with a term of office expiring February 1,
  2009; and
               (2)  members of the advisory board of the Texas Youth
  Commission, as required by Section 61.013, Human Resources Code, as
  amended by this Act, with terms of office expiring February 1, 2009.
         SECTION 49.  Before October 1, 2007, the Texas Youth
  Commission shall certify to the Employees Retirement System of
  Texas, in the manner prescribed by the retirement system, the name
  of each person employed by the office of inspector general at the
  Texas Youth Commission as a law enforcement officer, as defined by
  Section 811.001, Government Code, as amended by this Act, and any
  other information the system determines is necessary for the
  crediting of service and financing of benefits under Subtitle B,
  Title 8, Government Code.
         SECTION 50.  As soon as practicable after the effective date
  of this Act, the Texas Youth Commission shall, in the manner
  prescribed by Section 61.0357, Human Resources Code, as added by
  this Act, begin obtaining national criminal history record
  information for each person who applies for employment with the
  commission.
         SECTION 51.  A rule adopted by the Texas Youth Commission
  before the effective date of this Act is a rule of the executive
  commissioner of the Texas Youth Commission or the advisory board of
  the Texas Youth Commission, as appropriate, until superseded,
  modified, or repealed by the executive commissioner or advisory
  board, as appropriate.
         SECTION 52.  This Act takes effect immediately if it
  receives a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each
  house, as provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution.  
  If this Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate
  effect, this Act takes effect September 1, 2007.
 
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