CN H.B. 1979 75(R)BILL ANALYSIS


JUVENILE JUSTICE & FAMILY ISSUES
H.B. 1979H.B. 1979
By: Howard
3-13-97
Committee Report (Unamended)


BACKGROUND

Section 152.0052 of the Human Resources Code provides that a county with
two or more family district courts must select a family district court
judge to serve as chairman of the juvenile board. However, in Fort Bend
County, the family district court is not primarily responsible for the
juvenile dockets, thus negating the intent of the code. 

PURPOSE

As proposed, HB 1979 would allow the juvenile board chairman to be
selected from any member of the juvenile board by an annual majority vote
of the board.  This would allow the board to select a chairman who
routinely hears juvenile matters and is more familiar with the needs of
the juvenile justice system.  This is a local bill, and affects only the
board of Fort Bend County by altering only Section 152.0851 of the Human
Resources code. 

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly grant any
additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, department, agency or
institution. 

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1.  Amends chapter 152, Human Resource Code, by adding Subsection
(d) as follows: 

  (d) Provides that the chairman of the juvenile board shall be selected
annually by a majority vote of the board. 

SECTION 2.  Emergency Clause. Effective date: upon passage.



CJ H.B. 1979 75(R)