By Kubiak, Lewis of Tarrant, Price                    H.B. No. 2031
       74R7060 MLR-D
                                 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, Tom Green, and Washington counties
   1-13  using the Washington County program as a guide.  The purpose of the
   1-14  pilot program is to enable targeted at-risk children to develop
   1-15  character, improve self-esteem, and learn the benefits of hard work
   1-16  and the rewards associated with self-improvement through Buffalo
   1-17  Soldier Heritage curriculum and outdoor skills instruction.
   1-18        (b)  In implementing the pilot program the Texas Juvenile
   1-19  Probation  Commission shall:
   1-20              (1)  adopt rules and establish a timetable to implement
   1-21  the program;
   1-22              (2)  assist in establishing an advisory council for
   1-23  each county that is composed of local officials, community leaders,
   1-24  and other interested citizens, especially high-profile individuals
    2-1  who are role models for teenagers;
    2-2              (3)  designate a program officer for the county;
    2-3              (4)  provide grants to the county or a local group to
    2-4  establish the program; and
    2-5              (5)  contract for curriculum development with colleges
    2-6  and universities having experience in minority issues.
    2-7        (c)  The Texas Juvenile Probation Commission shall, when
    2-8  possible, contract with entities that have experience in developing
    2-9  and delivering programs with purposes similar to the purposes of
   2-10  the Buffalo Soldier Heritage program to assist the department in
   2-11  operating these pilot programs.
   2-12        SECTION 3.  DEADLINE.  The Texas Juvenile Probation
   2-13  Commission shall establish the pilot program required by this Act
   2-14  not later than January 1, 1996.
   2-15        SECTION 4.  REPORT.  The Texas Juvenile Probation Commission
   2-16  shall submit to the governor and the 75th and 76th legislatures an
   2-17  initial report concerning the effectiveness of the pilot program.
   2-18        SECTION 5.  EXPIRATION DATE.  This Act expires September 1,
   2-19  1999.
   2-20        SECTION 6.  EMERGENCY.  The importance of this legislation
   2-21  and the crowded condition of the calendars in both houses create an
   2-22  emergency and an imperative public necessity that the
   2-23  constitutional rule requiring bills to be read on three several
   2-24  days in each house be suspended, and this rule is hereby suspended.