SRC-JFA S.B. 1689 75(R) BILL ANALYSIS Senate Research Center S.B. 1689 By: Ellis Jurisprudence 3-27-97 As Filed DIGEST Currently, the Harris County commissioners court has implemented the Harris County Peer Mediation Partnership in some 170 county schools. Additionally, the county is engaged in two pilot projects involving adjudicated delinquent youth. This bill would authorize the commissioners court of a county with a population of more than 2,400,000 to establish an alternative dispute resolution system for the resolution of disputes between students in the public primary and secondary schools in the county. PURPOSE As proposed, S.B. 1689 authorizes the commissioners court of a county with a population of more than 2,400,000 to establish an alternative dispute resolution system for the resolution of disputes between students in the public primary and secondary schools in the county. RULEMAKING AUTHORITY Rulemaking authority is granted to the commissioners court of a county with a population of more than 2,400,000 in SECTION 1 (Section 153.003(a), Civil Practice and Remedies Code) of this bill. SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS SECTION 1. Amends Title 7, Civil Practice and Remedies Code, by adding Chapter 153, as follows: CHAPTER 153. ALTERNATE DISPUTE RESOLUTION SYSTEM FOR STUDENTS Sec. 153.001. DEFINITION. Defines "alternative dispute resolution system." Sec. 153.002. SCOPE OF CHAPTER. Provides that this chapter applies only to a county with a population of more than 2,400,000. Sec. 153.003. ALTERNATIVE DISPUTE RESOLUTION SYSTEM FOR STUDENTS. Authorizes the commissioners court of a county, by order, to establish an alternative dispute resolution system for the peaceable and expeditious resolution of disputes between students in the public primary and secondary schools in the county. Authorizes the commissioners court to take all necessary action to make the alternative dispute resolution system effective. Provides that the actions of an entity authorized by Subsection (b)(3) are subject to the approval of the commissioners court. Sec. 153.004. FINANCING. Authorizes the commissioners court to set a certain court cost in an amount not to exceed $3.50 to establish and maintain an alternative dispute resolution system for students. Provides that the county is not liable for the payment of a court cost under this section. Sets forth the guidelines relating to the collection, payment, deposit, and use of the school conflict resolution fund. SECTION 2. Emergency clause. Effective date: upon passage.