Juvenile Justice Bills Filed in Texas Legislature
Friday, March 13, 2009 - 3:52 pm
After months of discussion about the Sunset Commission’s recommendation to merge the functions of the Texas Youth Commission and the Texas Juvenile Probation Commission, bills to that effect have been filed in the Texas Legislature. House Bill 3689 by Representative Ruth Jones McClendon was filed on March 12, and Senate Bill 1020, authored by Senators Juan “Chuy” Hinajosa and Glenn Hegar and was filed on March 13.
Rep. McClendon also filed bills that would provide options to the consolidation. McClendon’s HB 3687 and 3688 would preserve TYC and TJPC as separate agencies through at least 2015. The bills also call for the creation of a Juvenile Justice Improvement plan to be created by June 1, 2010. The plan would prioritize placing juveniles as close to their homes as possible, and reserving secure facilities for youth who present a clear danger to themselves or others unless confined. The plan would also call for both risk and needs assessments for all youth committed to state custody, to ensure they receive appropriate placement and services, as well as for improved re-entry programming to assist youth release from secure facilities rejoin their families and communities.
So far, no further action has been scheduled on any of the bills.
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