BILL ANALYSIS



S.B. 242
By: Shapiro (Denny)
05-04-95
Committee Report (Unamended)


BACKGROUND

Anti-violence and peer mediation programs are preventive curricula
that teach children non-violent methods of conflict resolution. 
Currently, the Texas Juvenile Probation Commission does not require
these programs for juveniles with proven behavior problems.

PURPOSE

S.B. 242 requires the Texas Juvenile Probation Commission to
provide training in violence and conflict programs upon request, to
juvenile boards and probation departments and recommend the
programs as a condition of probation.

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 141C, Human Resources Code, by adding
Section 141.0431, as follows:

     Sec. 141.0431.  VIOLENCE PREVENTION AND CONFLICT RESOLUTION
     TRAINING.  Requires the Texas Juvenile Probation Commission to
     provide training on request to juvenile probation departments
     and juvenile boards in violence prevention and conflict
     resolution programs that include discussion of domestic
     violence and child abuse issues and to encourage the inclusion
     of a violence prevention and conflict resolution program as a
     condition of probation.
     
SECTION 2.  Effective date: January 1, 1996.

SECTION 3.  Emergency clause.

SUMMARY OF COMMITTEE ACTION

S.B. 242 was considered in a public hearing on May 3, 1995.

No one testified in favor of, against or neutrally on the bill.

S.B. 242 was reported favorably without amendment with the
recommendation that it do pass and be printed by a record vote of
7 ayes, 0 nays, 0 pnv, 2 absent.