BILL ANALYSIS H.B. 2919 By: Brady May 3, 1995 Committee Report (Unamended) BACKGROUND H.B. 2919 establishes a young adult court program for first time offenders from 17 - 22 years of age who are enrolled in college full time and who are charged with a penalty punishable by fine only. Young adult courts, like teen courts, have proven to produce low recidivism rates as a result of early intervention for minor offenses. PURPOSE If enacted, H.B. 2919 would allow Texas justice courts or municipal courts to establish young adult court programs. 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. Amends Chapter 45, Code of Criminal Procedure (JUSTICE AND CORPORATION COURTS), by adding Article 45.551 as follows. Art. 45.551. DISMISSAL OF MISDEMEANOR CHARGES ON COMPLETION OF YOUNG ADULT COURT PROGRAM. (a) Makes article applicable to a defendant who is between 18 and 22 years of age and enrolled full time in an institution of higher education. (b) Allows a justice or municipal court to defer proceedings against a defendant for 90 days if the defendant: 1) is charged with a misdemeanor punishable by fine only. 2) pleads no contest or guilty. 3) gives court written request to participate in the program; and 4) has not previously completed a young adult court program. (c) Requires young adult court programs to be approved by the court. (d) Requires the justice or municipal court to dismiss the charge against a defendant upon presentation that the defendant has successfully completed the program. (e) Prohibits charges, other than those for traffic violations, dismissed under this program from being included in a defendant's permanent criminal records. (f) Allows the court to require fees of up to $20.00 to cover the cost of court and stipulates court will pay $7.00 of any fee collected to young adult court program for performing its duties. Stipulates that any excess fees are to be deposited in the city or county treasury. Prohibits a defendant who requests a young adult program and fails to complete the program from being entitled to a refund of the fee. (g) Allows courts to transfer cases to contiguous counties if both courts and the defendant agree. SECTION 2. (a) Change in law made by this Act applies only to offenses committed on or after the effective date. (b) Makes effect of the Act prospective. SECTION 3. Effective date: September 1, 1995. SUMMARY OF COMMITTEE ACTION HB 2919 was considered by the full committee in a public hearing on May 1, 1995. The following person testified for HB 2919: Amie Fabric, representing herself. HB 2919 was left pending. HB 2919 was considered by the full committee in a public hearing on May 3, 1995. HB 2919 was reported favorably without amendment with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed and be sent to the Committee on Local and Consent Calendars, by a record vote of 5 ayes, 0 nays, 0 pnv, and 4 absent.