Bills that Address the Juvenile Justice System
The
1. SB 103 by Hinojosa, Relating to the Texas Youth Commission (TYC) and the prosecution of certain offenses and delinquent conduct in the Texas Youth Commission and certain other criminal justice agencies; providing penalties.
Analysis: Adds TYC inspectors general to the list of persons considered peace officers and requires the TYC to establish an office of inspector general. The bill also requires the state to reimburse counties for expenses related to the prosecution of crimes committed on property owned or operated by or under contract with the TYC, gives counties the authority to request that the Special Prosecution Unit prosecute offenses that are committed on TYC property, and establishes an Office of Independent Ombudsman to make available third party, confidential reporting for TYC youth and employees. This bill also aims to reduce the number of youth committed to the TYC by prohibiting placement of misdemeanants in the TYC and reducing the age limitation from 21 to 19 years of age.
2. HB 425 by Madden, Relating to the instructional requirements for education services provided in a juvenile residential facility operated by a juvenile board.
Analysis: Provides a more comprehensive and quality education to confined juveniles by requiring the commissioner of education, in coordination with the Texas Juvenile Probation Commission, to establish instructional requirements for education services provided by a school district to this population.
3. HB 278 by Madden, Relating to the authority of a school district board of trustees to create a criminal offense for violation of a district policy.
Analysis: Provides that only a violation of adopted rules providing for the operation and parking of vehicles on school property is a criminal offense.