37 TAC § 380.9121. Moral Values, Worship, and Religious Education, DIVISION 1. BASIC SERVICES

(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.