1-1  By:  Kubiak, et al. (Senate Sponsor - West)           H.B. No. 2031
    1-2        (In the Senate - Received from the House May 12, 1995;
    1-3  May 16, 1995, read first time and referred to Committee on
    1-4  Jurisprudence; May 25, 1995, reported favorably by the following
    1-5  vote:  Yeas 4, Nays 0; May 25, 1995, sent to printer.)
    1-6                         A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
    1-7                                AN ACT
    1-8  relating to a Buffalo Soldier Heritage pilot program for at-risk
    1-9  youth.
   1-10        BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
   1-11        SECTION 1.  PURPOSE.  It is the intent of the legislature
   1-12  that the state's resources be used to impact the growth of juvenile
   1-13  crime.  The legislature recognizes the importance of involving
   1-14  elements of government and private industry in the early lifestages
   1-15  of youth who are considered at risk.
   1-16        SECTION 2.  PILOT PROGRAM.  (a)  The Texas Juvenile Probation
   1-17  Commission shall establish and oversee a Buffalo Soldier Heritage
   1-18  pilot program in Bexar, Dallas, Tarrant, Tom Green, and Washington
   1-19  counties using the Washington County program as a guide.  The
   1-20  purpose of the pilot program is to enable targeted at-risk children
   1-21  to develop character, improve self-esteem, and learn the benefits
   1-22  of hard work and the rewards associated with self-improvement
   1-23  through Buffalo Soldier Heritage curriculum and outdoor skills
   1-24  instruction.
   1-25        (b)  In implementing the pilot program the Texas Juvenile
   1-26  Probation  Commission shall:
   1-27              (1)  adopt rules and establish a timetable to implement
   1-28  the program;
   1-29              (2)  assist in establishing an advisory council for
   1-30  each county that is composed of local officials, community leaders,
   1-31  and other interested citizens, especially high-profile individuals
   1-32  who are role models for teenagers;
   1-33              (3)  designate a program officer for the county;
   1-34              (4)  provide grants to the county or a local group to
   1-35  establish the program; and
   1-36              (5)  contract for curriculum development with colleges
   1-37  and universities having experience in minority issues.
   1-38        (c)  The Texas Juvenile Probation Commission shall, when
   1-39  possible, contract with entities that have experience in developing
   1-40  and delivering programs with purposes similar to the purposes of
   1-41  the Buffalo Soldier Heritage program to assist the department in
   1-42  operating these pilot programs.
   1-43        SECTION 3.  DEADLINE.  The Texas Juvenile Probation
   1-44  Commission shall establish the pilot program required by this Act
   1-45  not later than January 1, 1996.
   1-46        SECTION 4.  REPORT.  The Texas Juvenile Probation Commission
   1-47  shall submit to the governor and the 75th and 76th legislatures an
   1-48  initial report concerning the effectiveness of the pilot program.
   1-49        SECTION 5.  EXPIRATION DATE.  This Act expires September 1,
   1-50  1999.
   1-51        SECTION 6.  EMERGENCY.  The importance of this legislation
   1-52  and the crowded condition of the calendars in both houses create an
   1-53  emergency and an imperative public necessity that the
   1-54  constitutional rule requiring bills to be read on three several
   1-55  days in each house be suspended, and this rule is hereby suspended.
   1-56                               * * * * *