Bond Election for City Roads Re: Whether a county may call a bond election to fund the construction, repair, improvement, and maintenance of city roads (RQ-0319-KP). Submitted by Lilli A. Hensley Sterling County Attorney Summary, Opinion No. KP-311: A county may call a bond election under Texas Constitution article III, section 52(b) or (c) and expend bond … [Read more...] about Attorney General Opinions
mental health
Mental Health Jail Backlog Increase
When accused persons are unable to assist in their defense because of mental incompetency, the trial court orders them committed to a state mental institution for treatment and restoration of their competency. These defendants have not been convicted of a crime, but they cannot be tried or released until they are mentally competent. For several years, the legislature has failed … [Read more...] about Mental Health Jail Backlog Increase
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
Mental Health and the Criminal Justice System
By Sharon Guzman, Director of Texas Correctional Office on Offenders with Medical or Mental Impairments (TCOOMI) Services – Bluebonnet Trails On May 30, 2007, a man pulled a butcher knife on a police officer at a convenience store in Georgetown, Texas. The incident was caught on video by the security camera outside the store. The video, provided by the district … [Read more...] about Mental Health and the Criminal Justice System
Texas Commission on Jail Standards Mental Health Study
The 78th Legislature’s House Bill 1 directed the Texas Commission on Jail Standards (TCJS) to conduct a study relating to mental health screening and treatment practices of inmates with mental illnesses. To accomplish this, the TCJS and the Texas Correctional Office on Offenders with Medical or Mental Impairments (TCOOMMI) identified a number of stakeholders to participate as … [Read more...] about Texas Commission on Jail Standards Mental Health Study