(a) The Commissioners court of a county may contract
with a private vendor to provide for the financing, design, construction,
leasing, operation, purchase, maintenance, or management of a facility
for the confinement of persons accused or convicted of an offense.
(b) Contracts for these purposes shall comply with
Local Government Code, §§351.101-351.104 (concerning county
contract with private entity for jail facilities).
(c) If the contract includes construction of a new
facility or renovation of an existing facility, the construction documents
shall be submitted and reviewed in accordance with Chapter §257
of this title (relating to Construction Approval Rules).
(d) Facility operational plans, as required by the
Commission, shall be developed by the private operator of the facility
in consultation with the sheriff and shall be approved by the sheriff,
in writing, prior to submission to the Commission for approval. Approval
by the sheriff shall not be unreasonably withheld. Revised plans shall
similarly be submitted when there is a change of sheriffs, operator,
types of persons being confined, or operational procedures.
(e) The sheriff shall exercise regular on-site monitoring
over the private jail facility, in accordance with the Local Government
Code, §351.103 (concerning Contract Requirements). The specifics
of such on-site monitoring, including the resolution of disputes,
disagreements, or deficiencies shall be provided for in the contract
and facility operational plans.
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