HBA-CMT H.B. 1901 77(R)    BILL ANALYSIS


Office of House Bill AnalysisH.B. 1901
By: Turner, Sylvester
Corrections
7/17/2001
Enrolled



BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE 

A significant issue facing the Texas juvenile justice system was the
overwhelming number of youths who had a diagnosable mental disorder.  As
Texas juvenile facilities tried to meet the needs of these children, the
state had yet to come up with a comprehensive and coordinated plan to
address the scope of this issue. Whenever possible, youths with mental
health disorders should have been diverted from the juvenile justice system
into a system which could have provided appropriate care.  However, some
judges were left with no choice other than to place a juvenile with a
mental disorder in a juvenile facility.  House Bill 1901 requires the Texas
Council on Offenders with Mental Impairments to conduct a  study and
develop a comprehensive plan for juveniles with mental health and substance
abuse disorders who are involved or who are at risk of becoming involved in
the juvenile justice system.   

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

It is the opinion of the Office of House Bill Analysis that this bill does
not expressly delegate any additional rulemaking authority to a state
officer, department, agency, or institution. 

ANALYSIS

House Bill 1901 amends the Health and Safety Code to require the Texas
Council on Offenders with Mental Impairments (council) to conduct a study
and develop a comprehensive plan for juveniles with mental health and
substance abuse disorders who are involved in or are at risk of becoming
involved in the juvenile justice system.  The bill sets forth provisions
regarding what the plan must address.  The bill requires the council to
include representatives of the following persons that it considers
necessary in the preparation of the study plan: 

_local and state juvenile justice entities;

_mental health entities;

_substance abuse groups; 

_educational groups

_service providers; 

_family members of juveniles;

_advocacy organizations;

_the Department of Protective and Regulatory Services; and

_any other group or entity. 

 
The bill requires the council to submit the study and plan, including
recommendations and projected funding to implement the plan, to the
lieutenant governor, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, and
members of the Legislature on or before December 1, 2002.   

The bill specifies entities that the council is authorized to work in
cooperation with to establish pilot programs, building on existing programs
in communities, to address prevention, intervention, and continuity of care
for juveniles with mental health and substance abuse disorders. 

EFFECTIVE DATE

September 1, 2001.