Comal County Commissioners Court on Jan. 16 approved an interlocal agreement with Hill Country Community Mental Health and Mental Retardation Center (Hill Country MHMR) to provide and administer a jail‑based competency restoration program at the Comal County Jail, effective Jan. 16, 2025.

County presenters said the program allows people who have been found by the court to need competency restoration to receive that education locally in the jail instead of being transferred to a state facility. Hill Country has executed the agreement and the program is grant funded through the state. Staff said the program will allow Hill Country to use designated space within the jail to provide competency education for up to eight people at one time. The county and Hill Country will finalize operational details, including which multipurpose rooms or mental‑health areas (or the infirmary) will be used; staff said they expect to work out the specifics as the program launches.

Commissioner Hogg moved to approve the interlocal; Commissioner Webb seconded and the motion carried.

Why it matters: Local competency restoration can reduce delays for defendants awaiting trial and keep treatment closer to home, while requiring coordination between the courts, jail administration and the behavioral health provider. The county noted the program is subject to the court and parties agreeing that competency restoration is appropriate for an individual.

Ending: County staff and Hill Country representatives present said they will finalize space and operational details and proceed with program start‑up under the executed agreement.