By Kubiak, Lewis of Tarrant, Price, et al. H.B. No. 2031 A BILL TO BE ENTITLED 1-1 AN ACT 1-2 relating to a Buffalo Soldier Heritage pilot program for at-risk 1-3 youth. 1-4 BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: 1-5 SECTION 1. PURPOSE. It is the intent of the legislature 1-6 that the state's resources be used to impact the growth of juvenile 1-7 crime. The legislature recognizes the importance of involving 1-8 elements of government and private industry in the early lifestages 1-9 of youth who are considered at risk. 1-10 SECTION 2. PILOT PROGRAM. (a) The Texas Juvenile Probation 1-11 Commission shall establish and oversee a Buffalo Soldier Heritage 1-12 pilot program in Bexar, Dallas, Tarrant, Tom Green, and Washington 1-13 counties using the Washington County program as a guide. The 1-14 purpose of the pilot program is to enable targeted at-risk children 1-15 to develop character, improve self-esteem, and learn the benefits 1-16 of hard work and the rewards associated with self-improvement 1-17 through Buffalo Soldier Heritage curriculum and outdoor skills 1-18 instruction. 1-19 (b) In implementing the pilot program the Texas Juvenile 1-20 Probation Commission shall: 1-21 (1) adopt rules and establish a timetable to implement 1-22 the program; 1-23 (2) assist in establishing an advisory council for 1-24 each county that is composed of local officials, community leaders, 2-1 and other interested citizens, especially high-profile individuals 2-2 who are role models for teenagers; 2-3 (3) designate a program officer for the county; 2-4 (4) provide grants to the county or a local group to 2-5 establish the program; and 2-6 (5) contract for curriculum development with colleges 2-7 and universities having experience in minority issues. 2-8 (c) The Texas Juvenile Probation Commission shall, when 2-9 possible, contract with entities that have experience in developing 2-10 and delivering programs with purposes similar to the purposes of 2-11 the Buffalo Soldier Heritage program to assist the department in 2-12 operating these pilot programs. 2-13 SECTION 3. DEADLINE. The Texas Juvenile Probation 2-14 Commission shall establish the pilot program required by this Act 2-15 not later than January 1, 1996. 2-16 SECTION 4. REPORT. The Texas Juvenile Probation Commission 2-17 shall submit to the governor and the 75th and 76th legislatures an 2-18 initial report concerning the effectiveness of the pilot program. 2-19 SECTION 5. EXPIRATION DATE. This Act expires September 1, 2-20 1999. 2-21 SECTION 6. EMERGENCY. The importance of this legislation 2-22 and the crowded condition of the calendars in both houses create an 2-23 emergency and an imperative public necessity that the 2-24 constitutional rule requiring bills to be read on three several 2-25 days in each house be suspended, and this rule is hereby suspended.