Honorable Victoria Neave, Chair, House Committee on Juvenile Justice & Family Issues
FROM:
Jerry McGinty, Director, Legislative Budget Board
IN RE:
HB162 by Thierry (Relating to a prohibition on prosecuting or referring to juvenile court certain persons for certain conduct constituting the offense of prostitution and to the provision of services to those persons.), As Introduced
No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.
The bill would amend Family Code and Penal Code to prohibit the prosecution or referral to juvenile court of a person younger than 17 years of age for the offense of prostitution. The bill would require a law enforcement officer who takes possession of such a child to attempt to reunite the child with their parent or person entitled to take possession of the child. If the parent or other person is not immediately available, the officer is required to contact a local service provider or care coordinator, if one is not available, then the child would be transferred to the Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS).
Based on analysis of DFPS, the Juvenile Justice Department and the Office of Court Administration, it is assumed that the costs associated with implementing the provisions of the bill could be absorbed within existing resources.
Local Government Impact
No significant fiscal implication to units of local government is anticipated.
Source Agencies:
212 Office of Court Admin, 530 Family & Protective Services, 644 Juvenile Justice Department