BILL ANALYSIS



H.B. 1897
By: Puente
03-23-95
Committee Report (Unamended)


BACKGROUND

     This bill relates to the composition and function of the
juvenile board that currently exists in Bexar County.  Presently
the boards function is regarded as ineffective due to its inability
to meet regularly and establish a quorum.

PURPOSE

     Bexar County seeks to create a board similar to the board
created in Dallas county.  Since its creation, The Dallas board has
had a positive impact on juvenile issues.

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly
grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer,
department, agency or institution.

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

     Section 1:  152.0211 of the Human Resource code, relating t
the composition of the board, is amended to read as follows:

     (A).  The Juvenile Board of Bexar county shall be composed of;
the county judge; one county commissioner appointed by the
commissioners' court; each juvenile court judge; a local
administrative district judge; one judge of a district court in
Bexar county that gives preference to criminal matters and
appointed by the judges of those courts; one judge of a district
court in Bexar county from a court that gives preference to civil
matters and appointed by the judges of those courts; and the
chairman of the Juvenile Board advisory council created under
Section 152.0010.

     (B).  The appointed members serve one year terms.

     (C).  This board will hold an annual meeting in January and at
this time shall elect a chairman from among the members.  It will
also designate other meeting times.  The chairman may also call a
meeting two members may call a meeting.  Also, accurate and
complete minutes must be kept and be made open to the public.

     (D).  All county facilities and programs for the children,
other than the facilities and programs operated by the Bexar County
Hospital District or the local mental health or mental retardation
authority serving Bexar County, are under the board's jurisdiction.

     (E).  The Juvenile Board shall set policies for the juvenile
probation department and other departments, facilities, and
programs under the board's jurisdiction.

     (F).  The Juvenile Board may make an annual report to the
commissioners' court that relates to the operation and efficiency
of the juvenile probation department, the county and other
institutions for the care of neglected, dependent, and delinquent
children, and the other facilities a programs under the board's
jurisdiction and to the general adequacy of the juvenile services
provided by the county.  It may also include recommendations for
improvements the board considers necessary.

     (G).  The Juvenile Board may submit a budget of expenditures
of county funds the commissioners' court.  The Juvenile Board may
not make an expenditure of county funds unless it is approved by
the commissioners' court.

     (H).  The Juvenile Board may investigate the operations of the
juvenile probation department, the county institutions for the care
of the neglected, dependent, or delinquent children, or any other
facility or program  under the board jurisdiction at the request of
the judges of the district courts in Bexar County.  The Board shall
make a written report of the investigation to the commissioners'
court.

     (I).  The Juvenile Board may make any special studies or
investigations it considers necessary to improve the operation of
the juvenile probation department and the county institutions under
its jurisdiction and shall provide a written report of its findings
to the commissioners' court.

     (J).  The Juvenile Board, with approval from the
commissioners' court, may appoint a person as chief juvenile
probation officer.  The Board, with approval from the commissioners
court, may set the salary of the chief probation officer.  The
chief probation officer serves at the pleasure of the Board.

     (K).  The Juvenile Board may apply for, accept, hold in trust,
spend, and use a gift, grant, or donation of land, money, or other
personal property from a governmental, corporate, personal, or
other source to benefit the county facilities and programs under
the board's jurisdiction.

     (L).  Sections 152.0002, 152.0003, 152.0004, 152.0005,
152.0006, 152.0007, and 152.0008 of the Human Resource Code do not
apply to the Juvenile Board of Bexar County.

     SECTION 2:  This act takes effect September 1, 1995

     SECTION 3:  Emergency Clause


SUMMARY OF COMMITTEE ACTION

HB 1897 was considered by the Committee in a public hearing on 22
March 1995.

The following person testified against the bill:  Homero Lucero,
Adams & Zottarelli on behalf of Bexar County.

The bill was reported favorably without amendment with the
recommendation that it do pass and be printed and be sent to the
Local and Consent Calendar by a record vote of 7 ayes, 0 nays, 0
pnv, and 2 absent.