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 * * * * *