Amends TCA Title 8; Title 16 and Title 41.

NEW ASSISTANT DISTRICT ATTORNEY GENERAL AND CRIMINAL INVESTIGATOR POSITIONS FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTION<br /> <br /> This bill requires the department of correction ("department") to furnish and provide to the district attorneys general conference a total of 10 additional assistant district attorney general positions initially funded at compensation level 5 and thereafter compensated in accordance with state law. The department must also furnish and provide to the district attorneys general conference a total of 10 additional criminal investigator positions initially funded at compensation level 6 and thereafter compensated in accordance with state law.<br /> <br /> This bill provides that the additional assistant district attorney general positions and criminal investigator positions created are for the purpose of conducting specialized criminal investigations and prosecutions of any criminal offenses committed or occurring in or related to a state correctional institution. The department must grant designated assistant district attorneys general and criminal investigators complete access to the premises, books, records, electronic devices, and other evidence of criminal offenses kept or in the custody of the department. A request by the district attorney general must be honored, and the superintendent, director, warden, or employee of any state correctional institution must give full aid, support, and cooperation to the district attorney general in the investigation or prosecution as requested.<br /> <br /> This bill does not limit or otherwise impede the discretion in the performance of duties and responsibilities in the allocation of resources available to the district attorney general.<br /> <br /> NEW ASSISTANT DISTRICT ATTORNEYS GENERAL AND CRIMINAL INVESTIGATORS ASSIGNED TO JUDICIAL DISTRICTS<br /> <br /> In addition to positions created under this bill, effective July 1, 2024, there are created 10 additional assistant district attorney general positions and 10 additional criminal investigator positions to be designated in judicial districts as provided in this bill and consistent with state law.<br /> <br /> This bill requires the additional assistant district attorney general positions and criminal investigator positions created to be designated and assigned in judicial districts containing a state correctional institution, as follows:<br /> <br /> (1) One assistant district attorney general position and one criminal investigator position are designated and assigned to the first judicial district;<br /> <br /> (2) One assistant district attorney general position and one criminal investigator position are designated and assigned to the ninth judicial district;<br /> <br /> (3) One assistant district attorney general position and one criminal investigator position are designated and assigned to the twelfth judicial district;<br /> <br /> (4) One assistant district attorney general position and one criminal investigator position are designated and assigned to the fifteenth judicial district;<br /> <br /> (5) One assistant district attorney general position and one criminal investigator position are designated and assigned to the twentieth judicial district;<br /> <br /> (6) One assistant district attorney general position and one criminal investigator position are designated and assigned to the twenty-second judicial district;<br /> <br /> (7) One assistant district attorney general position and one criminal investigator position are designated and assigned to the twenty-fifth judicial district;<br /> <br /> (8) One assistant district attorney general position and one criminal investigator position are designated and assigned to the twenty-ninth judicial district;<br /> <br /> (9) One assistant district attorney general position and one criminal investigator position are designated and assigned to the thirtieth judicial district; and<br /> <br /> (10) One assistant district attorney general position and one criminal investigator position are designated and assigned to the thirty-second judicial district.<br /> <br /> The number of assistant district attorney general and criminal investigator positions created by this bill, or another provision of law is the minimum number of positions authorized in each district. This bill or any other provision of law does not prohibit or prevent the employment of additional assistant district attorneys general or criminal investigators in a particular judicial district, regardless of whether the positions are funded by a state or non-state source, or whether they are specifically enumerated in this bill or another provision of law.<br />