Texas Administrative Code Title 37 - PUBLIC SAFETY AND CORRECTIONS
Here’s a refined overview of Texas Administrative Code (TAC), Title 37 – Public Safety and Corrections, the rules governing state law enforcement, corrections, and related agencies:
🏛️ Structure of Title 37
Title 37 is divided into multiple Parts, each representing a major state agency or regulatory body:
Part 1 – Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS)
Part 4 – Texas Military Department
Part 5 – Texas Board of Pardons and Paroles
Part 6 – Texas Department of Criminal Justice (TDCJ)
Part 7 – Texas Commission on Law Enforcement (TCOLE)
Part 9 – Texas Commission on Jail Standards (TCJS)
Part 11 – Texas Juvenile Justice Department
Part 13 – Texas Commission on Fire Protection
Part 14 – Independent Ombudsman
Part 15 – Texas Forensic Science Commission
Part 16 – Texas Civil Commitment Office (regulations.justia.com, store.legal.thomsonreuters.com, en.wikipedia.org, tcole.texas.gov)
📌 Part 1 – DPS Key Chapters
Covers foundational public safety and corrections provisions:
Chapter 1: Organization & administration
Chapter 2: Capitol access passes
Chapter 3: Highway patrol protocols
… up to Chapter 38: Fusion center operations
This includes rules on licenses (e.g., handguns), driver’s licenses, controlled substances, school bus safety, breath‐alcohol testing, crime labs, DNA collection, and more (regulations.justia.com)
🔍 Other Key Parts
Part 7 – TCOLE (Texas Commission on Law Enforcement)
Ch. 211: Administration, agency definitions, procurement processes
Noteworthy update: Agencies existing before June 1, 2024 may use personally-owned patrol vehicles (sos.state.tx.us)
Ch. 215: Training & educational provider standards
Ch. 217–219: Licensing, exams, continuing education, reciprocity
Recent revision: Expanded reporting responsibilities related to psychological/medical exams and out-of-state/federal/military reciprocity (sos.state.tx.us)
Ch. 221, 223, 225, 227, 229: Covers proficiency certificates, enforcement actions, specialized licenses, school marshals, and Peace Officers’ Memorial regulations (tcole.texas.gov)
Part 9 – TCJS (Texas Commission on Jail Standards)
Sets minimum jail standards and rulemaking procedures
Ch. 255: Advisory committee formation (including an Intellectual/Developmental Disabilities Committee) (sos.texas.gov)
Ch. 297: Compliance and enforcement
Ch. 297.11: Remedial orders for non-compliant facilities—may order closures or transfers (law.cornell.edu)
🛠️ Recent Updates & Rulemaking
April 2025 (TCOLE):
Agencies may now use personally owned patrol vehicles under certain conditions
Adjustments in reporting for medical/psychological exam failures and procurement protest processes (tcole.texas.gov, sos.state.tx.us)
June 2024 (TCJS):
Proposed rule to add intellectual/developmental disability advisory committee members (sos.texas.gov)
📘 Where to Access the Rules
Texas Register and Texas Secretary of State Code on TAC host the full text of Title 37.
Justia offers a searchable version of Title 37 (note: may not reflect the latest quarterly updates) (regulations.justia.com)
✅ Why This Matters
Sets regulatory standards for law enforcement, corrections, training, licensing, jails, and forensic processes statewide.
Guides agency operations, safety protocols, certification, accountability, and compliance/enforcement.
Includes ongoing updates, ensuring continued alignment with legal requirements and policy changes.
🔍 Interested in a Specific Part?
I can provide a deep dive into any particular agency or chapter—for example:
DPS rules on handgun licensing, breath-alcohol testing
TCOLE licensing and training standards (chapters 211–219)
TCJS jail minimum standards and enforcement mechanisms
TDCJ’s administrative rules (Part 6) or juvenile justice regulations (Part 11)
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