H.B. No. 2031
    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.