Many of the statutes adopted by the 86th Legislature were effective on Sept. 1, 2019. Some require action by the Commissioners Court to assure compliance. Below are summaries and recommendations for implementation of some of the new statutes. Mental Health Interview: H.B. 601 by Rep. Price requires an interview and mental health report on any jail inmate suspected of mental … [Read more...] about Implementing New Laws
CJCAT
Pretrial Intervention Program Fund
The Texas Attorney General has provided guidance on the proper use of the pretrial intervention program fund. Attorney General Opinion KP-0263 (2019) determined that the Commissioners Court must “ultimately decide how to expend the pretrial intervention program special fund.” Article 102.0121 of the Code of Criminal Procedure provides that a prosecutor may … [Read more...] about Pretrial Intervention Program Fund
Mandated Mental Health Jail Inmate Interviews and Reports
For several years, the County Judges and Commissioners Association of Texas has supported legislative proposals to improve mental health programs. There have been some improvements in state funding. In 2010, Texas ranked 50th among the states in mental health funding; by 2017, we had improved to 40th. Nevertheless, county jails continue to hold more mentally ill persons than … [Read more...] about Mandated Mental Health Jail Inmate Interviews and Reports
The Value of Servant Leadership
Greetings from Cherokee County. It is a humbling honor to have been elected and to be trusted to serve as the new secretary/treasurer for the North & East Texas County Judges and Commissioners Association. I look forward to the knowledge I will gain from the opportunity to work with Polk County Judge Sydney Brown Murphy, Cass County Commissioner Paul Cothren, Cooke … [Read more...] about The Value of Servant Leadership
North & East Texas County Judges and Commissioners Association 2019 Resolutions
The following resolutions were passed by the North & East Texas County Judges and Commissioners Association representing 74 counties in the State of Texas on May 16, 2019, during the Association’s Annual Conference. 1. Thanks to the Host Court WHEREAS, the Annual Conference of the North & East Texas County Judges and Commissioners Association was conducted … [Read more...] about North & East Texas County Judges and Commissioners Association 2019 Resolutions