SRC-HRD S.B. 744 75(R)   BILL ANALYSIS


Senate Research Center   S.B. 744
By: Lucio
Finance
3-4-97
As Filed


DIGEST 

Currently, juvenile referrals to the court system increase every year.  In
1995 alone, juvenile referrals increased 12.7 percent from the previous
year.  The overextended conditions of many judicial districts sometimes
lead judges to detain juveniles for extended periods which, in turn,
contributes to the overcrowding of detention facilities.  In some cases
this also compels judges to release juvenile offenders who should be
detained.  This bill would create the 416th Judicial District in Cameron
County and require priority to be given to juvenile and family law cases.

PURPOSE

As proposed, S.B. 744 provides that the 416th Judicial District is created
in Cameron County and that juvenile and family law cases have priority in
this district.  

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

This bill does not grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state
officer, institution, or agency. 

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1. Amends Chapter 24C, Government Code, by adding Section 24.559,
as follows:  

Sec. 24.559.  416TH JUDICIAL DISTRICT (CAMERON COUNTY).  Provides that the
416th Judicial District is composed of Cameron County.  Requires the 416th
Judicial District to give preference to juvenile and family law cases. 

SECTION 2. Effective date:  September 1, 1997.

SECTION 3. Emergency clause.
  Effective date: upon passage.