Sec. 501.098. REENTRY TASK FORCE

(a) The department shall coordinate the work of the task force with the Office of Court Administration, and by rule shall enter into a memorandum of understanding with the following entities to establish a reentry task force:

(1) the Texas Youth Commission;

(2) the Texas Workforce Commission;

(3) the Department of Public Safety;

(4) the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs;

(5) the Texas Correctional Office on Offenders with Medical or Mental Impairments;

(6) the Health and Human Services Commission;

(7) the Texas Judicial Council; and

(8) an organization selected by the department that advocates for or provides reentry or reintegration services to offenders following their release or discharge from a correctional facility.

(b) The reentry task force established under Subsection (a) may:

(1) identify gaps in services for offenders following their release or discharge to rural or urban communities in the areas of employment, housing, substance abuse treatment, medical care, and any other areas in which the offenders need special services; and

(2) coordinate with providers of existing local reentry and reintegration programs, including programs operated by a municipality or county, to make recommendations regarding the provision of comprehensive services to offenders following their release or discharge to rural or urban communities.

Added by Acts 2009, 81st Leg., R.S., Ch. 643 , Sec. 2, eff. June 19, 2009.