§ 497.051. PURPOSE; DEFINITIONS.

(a) The board shall approve, certify, and supervise the operation of private sector prison industries programs in the department, the Texas Juvenile Justice Department, and in county correctional facilities in compliance with the federal prison enhancement certification program established under 18 U.S.C. Section 1761. The board may use board and department employees to provide the clerical and technical support necessary for the board to perform the board's duties under this subchapter and shall ensure that the department implements the policies adopted by the board that relate to the operation of private sector prison industries programs.

(a-1) The board shall ensure that private sector prison industries programs are operated under this subchapter in a manner that is designed to avoid the loss of existing jobs for employees in this state who are not incarcerated or imprisoned.

(b) In this subchapter:

(1) "Governmental entity" means the department, the Texas Juvenile Justice Department, and any county that operates a private sector prison industries program under this subchapter.

(2) "Participant" means a participant in a private sector prison industries program.

(c) This subchapter does not authorize the board to direct the general operations of or to govern the Texas Juvenile Justice Department or county correctional facilities in any manner not specifically described by Subsection (a).