Tex. Gov't Code Section 511.0071
Complaints and Access


(a)

The commission shall prepare information of public interest describing the functions of the commission. The commission shall make the information available:

(1)

to the public, inmates, county officials, and appropriate state agencies; and

(2)

on any publicly accessible Internet website maintained by the commission.

(a-1)

The commission shall adopt rules and procedures regarding the receipt, investigation, resolution, and disclosure to the public of complaints regarding the commission and complaints regarding jails under the commission’s jurisdiction that are filed with the commission. The commission shall:

(1)

prescribe a form or forms on which written complaints regarding the commission and complaints regarding jails under the commission’s jurisdiction may be filed with the commission;

(2)

keep an information file in accordance with Section 511.0072 (Complaint Information) regarding each complaint filed with the commission regarding the commission or a jail under the commission’s jurisdiction;

(3)

develop procedures for prioritizing complaints filed with the commission and a reasonable time frame for responding to those complaints and appeals of those complaints;

(4)

develop a procedure for tracking and analyzing all complaints filed with the commission, according to criteria that must include:

(A)

the reason for or origin of complaints;

(B)

the average number of days that elapse between the date on which complaints are filed, the date on which the commission first investigates or otherwise responds to complaints, and the date on which complaints are resolved;

(C)

the outcome of investigations or the resolution of complaints, including dismissals and commission actions resulting from complaints;

(D)

the number of pending complaints at the close of each fiscal year;

(E)

a list of complaint topics that the commission does not have jurisdiction to investigate or resolve;

(F)

the detailed categorization of each violation alleged in a complaint;

(G)

the comprehensive documentation of each violation alleged in a complaint; and

(H)

for a complaint for which the commission took no action, the documentation of the reason the complaint was closed without action;

(5)

regularly analyze complaints to identify trends, including trends with respect to jails with a higher than average number of complaints, to determine jails requiring additional inspections; and

(6)

regularly prepare and distribute to members of the commission and make available to the public a report containing a summary of the information compiled under Subdivisions (4) and (5).

(b)

The commission shall prepare and maintain a written plan that describes how a person who does not speak English or who has a physical, mental, or developmental disability can be provided reasonable access to the commission programs.

(c)

Repealed by Acts 2009, 81st Leg., R.S., Ch. 1215, Sec. 13, eff. September 1, 2009.

(d)

The commission shall adopt rules and procedures regarding the referral of a complaint filed with the commission from or related to a prisoner to the appropriate local agency for investigation and resolution. The commission may perform a special inspection of a facility named in the complaint to determine compliance with commission requirements.

(e)

Repealed by Acts 2021, 87th Leg., R.S., Ch. 254 (H.B. 1545), Sec. 13, eff. September 1, 2021.

(f)

Repealed by Acts 2021, 87th Leg., R.S., Ch. 254 (H.B. 1545), Sec. 13, eff. September 1, 2021.

(g)

The commission shall adopt rules requiring jail administrators to include in any inmate handbook and prominently display throughout the jail information regarding the procedure for complaint investigation and resolution.

(h)

The commission shall ensure that a jail complies with Subsection (g) during any inspection of the jail.
Added by Acts 1991, 72nd Leg., ch. 740, Sec. 7, eff. Sept. 1, 1991. Amended by Acts 1997, 75th Leg., ch. 259, Sec. 5, eff. Sept. 1, 1997.
Amended by:
Acts 2009, 81st Leg., R.S., Ch. 1215 (S.B. 1009), Sec. 6, eff. September 1, 2009.
Acts 2009, 81st Leg., R.S., Ch. 1215 (S.B. 1009), Sec. 13, eff. September 1, 2009.
Acts 2021, 87th Leg., R.S., Ch. 254 (H.B. 1545), Sec. 3, eff. September 1, 2021.
Acts 2021, 87th Leg., R.S., Ch. 254 (H.B. 1545), Sec. 13, eff. September 1, 2021.

Source: Section 511.0071 — Complaints and Access, https://statutes.­capitol.­texas.­gov/Docs/GV/htm/GV.­511.­htm#511.­0071 (accessed Jun. 5, 2024).

511.001
Definitions
511.002
Commission
511.003
Sunset Provision
511.004
Membership
511.005
Presiding Officer
511.006
Meetings
511.007
Compensation
511.008
Director
511.009
General Duties
511.010
Gathering of Information
511.011
Report on Noncompliance
511.012
Failure to Comply After Report
511.013
Appeal of Order
511.014
Action to Enforce
511.015
Annual Reports
511.016
Audits
511.017
Duties Related to State Jail Felony Facilities
511.018
Alternative Dispute Resolution
511.019
Prisoner Safety Fund
511.020
Serious Incidents Report
511.021
Independent Investigation of Death Occurring in County Jail
511.022
Advisory Committee
511.023
Intake of Persons with Intellectual or Developmental Disabilities
511.0041
Removal of Commission Members
511.0042
Conflict of Interest
511.0061
Use of Technology
511.0071
Complaints and Access
511.0072
Complaint Information
511.0081
Advisory Committees
511.0085
Risk Factors
511.0086
Risk-based Inspections
511.0091
Fees
511.0092
Contracts for Out-of-state Inmates
511.0093
Rules and Fees Related to Out-of-state Inmates
511.0094
Exclusion of Jails or Correctional Facilities Housing Only Federal Prisoners
511.0095
Authority to House Out-of-state Inmates
511.0096
Termination of Contracts for Out-of-state Inmates
511.0097
Fire Sprinkler Head Inspection
511.0098
Prisoner Health Benefits Coverage Information
511.0101
Jail Population Reports
511.0102
Information on Licensed Jailer Turnover
511.0103
Notification Regarding Policy Change
511.0104
Rules Regarding Restraint of Pregnant Prisoner
511.0105
Report Regarding Restraint of Pregnant Prisoner
511.0106
Electronic Submission of Forms, Data, and Documents
511.0115
Public Information About Compliance Status of Jails
511.0121
Failure to Cooperate in Parole in Absentia Program
511.0145
Enforcement Actions
511.00405
Training
511.00901
Duty Regarding Minimum Standards
511.00902
Reinspection
511.00903
Inspection Trend Analysis
511.00905
Jail Administrator Position

Accessed:
Jun. 5, 2024

§ 511.0071’s source at texas​.gov