BILL ANALYSIS
| Senate Research Center | S.B. 1171 |
| | By: Perry |
| | Criminal Justice |
| | 3/28/2025 |
| | As Filed |
AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT
The Office of the Inspector General (OIG) of the Texas Juvenile Justice Department (TJJD) was created by the legislature to investigate crimes committed by TJJD employees and crimes and delinquent conduct committed at TJJD facilities. This investigative authority extends to parole officers, and other facilities operating under contract with TJJD. The chief inspector is a commissioned peace officer, and is authorized to appoint additional peace officers to fulfill the statutory duties of the office. The chief inspector is appointed by, and reports directly to, the board. The inspectors general have all of the power and duties afforded to peace officers under the Texas Code of Criminal Procedure.
S.B. 1171 adds TJJD OIG peace officers to the Schedule C salary matrix so that they can achieve pay parity with other state law enforcement agencies. Additionally, this bill ensures TJJD OIG peace officers are eligible for hazardous duty pay and that they must comply with certain physical fitness program requirements.
As proposed, S.B. 1171 amends current law relating to compensation, leave, and physical fitness programs and standards for certain employees of the office of inspector general of the Texas Juvenile Justice Department.
RULEMAKING AUTHORITY
This bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, institution, or agency.
SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS
SECTION 1. Amends Section 614.171(1), Government Code, to redefine "law enforcement agency."
SECTION 2. Amends Section 659.303, Government Code, by amending Subsections (a) and (d) and adding Subsection (a-1), as follows:
(a) Makes nonsubstantive changes to this subsection.
(a-1) Creates this subsection from existing text. Requires the Texas Juvenile Justice Department (TJJD) to include hazardous duty pay in the compensation paid to an individual for services rendered during a month if the individual is an investigator, inspector general, security officer, or apprehension specialist employed by the office of the inspector general of TJJD. Makes nonsubstantive changes.
(d) Makes a conforming change to this subsection.
SECTION 3. Amends Section 661.918(a), Government Code, to provide that Section 661.918 (Injury Leave for Certain Peace Officers) applies to a peace officer under Article 2A.001 (Peace Officers Generally), Code of Criminal Procedure, who is commissioned as a law enforcement officer or agent, including a ranger, by certain entities, including the office of the inspector general of TJJD, and to make nonsubstantive changes.
SECTION 4. Amends Section 242.102, Human Resources Code, by adding Subsection (j) to require TJJD to ensure that a peace officer commissioned under Subsection (d) (relating to authorizing the office of the inspector general employ and appoint inspectors general as peace officers) is compensated according to Schedule C of the position classification salary schedule prescribed by the General Appropriations Act.
SECTION 5. (a) Requires the classification officer in the office of the state auditor to classify the position of commissioned peace officer employed by the office of inspector general of the TJJD as a Schedule C position under the position classification plan maintained under Chapter 654 (Position Classification), Government Code.
(b) Provides that the change made by the classification officer as required by this section applies beginning with the state fiscal biennium beginning September 1, 2025.
(c) Provides that this section expires September 1, 2027.
SECTION 6. Makes application of Section 661.918(a), Government Code, as amended by this Act, prospective.
SECTION 7. Effective date: September 1, 2025.
