Enrolled Bill Summary

Senate Bill 209	Senate Author: Zaffirini
Effective: 9-1-11	House Sponsor: Walle

            Current law authorizes a county court, justice court, or municipal court to employ one or more full-time juvenile case managers. Senate Bill 209 amends the Code of Criminal Procedure to also authorize a municipality to employ juvenile case managers and to remove the specification that juvenile case managers are employed full-time. The bill requires a juvenile case manager to timely report to the judge who signed the order or judgment and, on request, to the judge assigned to the case or the presiding judge any information or recommendations relevant to assisting the judge in making decisions that are in the best interest of the child. The bill requires the judge who is assigned to the case to consult with the juvenile case manager who is supervising the case regarding the child's home environment; the child's developmental, psychological, and educational status; the child's previous interaction with the justice system; and any sanctions available to the court that would be in the best interest of the child. The bill exempts from its reporting and consultation requirements a part-time judge or a county judge of a county court that has one or more full-time magistrates appointed to hear matters alleging a truancy violation.