| (a) Purpose. The purpose of this rule is to provide
youth with the opportunity to participate in worship and religious
education and to develop and internalize a set of personal moral and
spiritual values.
(b) General Provisions.
(1) The Texas Juvenile Justice Department (TJJD) determines
the religious preference of each youth admitted to TJJD. If a youth
is under age 18, TJJD contacts the youth's parent/guardian to verify
the youth's religious preference. If there is a disagreement regarding
the religious preference for a youth under age 18, the religious preference
will be established by the parent/guardian. If TJJD is unable to contact
the parent/guardian after due diligence, TJJD will honor the youth's
requested religious preference.
(2) TJJD provides youth the opportunity to participate
in religious education programs, services, and counseling.
(3) Participation in religious education programs,
services, and counseling is voluntary.
(4) Arbitrary and discriminatory restrictions of religious
freedoms are prohibited.
(5) High restriction and medium restriction facilities
operated by or under contract with TJJD must provide for reasonable
access to religious education programs, services, and counseling.
(6) Participation in religious education programs,
services, and counseling may be limited only when documentation indicates
a threat to the safety of persons involved or the activity disrupts
order in the facility.
(7) Youth in TJJD-operated facilities may request that
a specific religious practice or item be made available to him/her.
The request is subject to an assessment, accommodation, and approval
process.
(8) TJJD provides access to personal clergy for a youth's
faith group in accordance with §380.9317 of this title.
(9) TJJD encourages the participation of volunteer
religious groups and individuals in its religious services and programs.
|
| Source Note: The provisions of this §380.9121 adopted to be effective August 28, 1998, 23 TexReg 8464; amended to be effective December 16, 1999, 24 TexReg 10575; amended to be effective August 19, 2002, 27 TexReg 7547; transferred effective June 4, 2012, as published in the Texas Register June 22, 2012, 37 TexReg 4639; amended to be effective July 15, 2014, 39 TexReg 5436 |
