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.