MINUTES
SENATE COMMITTEE ON SEX OFFENDERS (INTERIM)
Tuesday, May 12, 1998
1:30 p.m.
Capitol Extension, Room E1.016
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Pursuant to a notice posted in accordance with Senate Rule
11.11, a public hearing of the Senate Committee on Sex
Offenders (Interim) was held on Tuesday, May 12, 1998 in the
Capitol Extension, Room E1.016, at Austin, Texas.
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MEMBERS PRESENT: MEMBERS ABSENT:
Senator Florence Shapiro Senator Eliot
Shapleigh
Senator John Whitmire
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The Chair called the meeting to order at 1:35 p.m.. There
being a quorum present, the following business was transacted.
The following members arrived after the roll was called: none
The chair, Senator Shapiro made opening remarks, welcomed
invited speakers, agency staff and the public. The chair
announced that the purpose of this hearing was to study the
issue of civil commitment of sexual predators and to review
sex offender registration and treatment programs.
The chair called invited panelists to provide committee
members with a report regarding the potential number for the
civil commitment of sexually violent sex offenders:
Catherine McVey, Assistant Director of Programs &
Services, TDCJ
Dr. Judy Johnson, Clinical Director for Sex Offender
Treatment Programs, TDCJ
Mr. Tony Fabelo, Director, Criminal Justice Policy
Council
Mr. Michael Eisenberg, Policy Analyst, Criminal Justice
Policy Council
Dr. Dave Wanser, PH.D., Director of Behavioral Service,
Texas Department of Mental
Health and Mental Retardation
Dr. Mary Ross, PH.D., Dir. of Psychology Wichita State
Hospital, Texas Department of
Mental Health and Mental Retardation
The chair called Ms. Kristy Carr with People Against Violent
Crime testified on the issue of civil commitment and the need
for its implementation.
The chair called Ms. Katherine Schaudt, testified on the issue
of civil commitment and the need for its implementation.
The chair called Dr. Sandra Sullivan, Director of the Family
Service Center of Galveston. Ms Sullivan testified on the
issue of treatment for juvenile sex offenders.
The chair called Dr. Gerald Rogers, President of the Texas
Association of Sex Offender Treatment. Dr. Rogers testified
on the issue of civil commitment and the need for its
implementation.
The chair called invited panelists to provide committee
members with a report regarding juvenile sex offenders and
what treatments are available for those under ten years old:
Dr. Saleem Ateek, Chief Psychologist, Dallas County
Juvenile Justice System
Ms. Lisa Capers, General Counsel, Texas Juvenile
Probation Commission
Mr. Thomas Chapmond, Community Initiatives for Program
Development,
Texas Department of Protective
& Regulatory Services
Ms. Karen Ells, Deputy Director of Programs, Texas
Department of Protective & Regulatory
Services
Ms. Deborah Brendt, Director of Children's Services,
Texas Department of Mental Health and
Mental Retardation
The chair called for public testimony all witnesses testifying
and registering are shown on the attached list.
There being no further business, at 4:20 pm Senator Shapiro
moved that the Committee stand recessed subject to the call of
the Chair. Without objection, it was so ordered.
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Senator Florence Shapiro, Chair
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Helen Gonz lez, Clerk