SRC-JBJ S.B. 447 76(R)   BILL ANALYSIS


Senate Research Center   S.B. 447
78R5794 DAK-DBy: Ogden
Criminal Justice
4/13/1999
As Filed


DIGEST 

Currently, the Texas Youth Commission (commission) incarcerates juveniles
for crimes.  Nearly half of those released by the commission return to
incarceration because they committed an additional crime after release.
Studies show that incarcerated youth who earn a high school diploma are
less likely to return to prison.  But many released youths have trouble
finding employment due to the youths' lack of education.  S.B. 447 would
prohibit the commission from releasing a person who has not attained a
certain level of education. 

PURPOSE

As proposed, S.B. 447 prohibits the Texas Youth Commission from releasing a
person who did not obtain a mandatory education skill level. 

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 61F, Human Resources Code, by adding Section
61.085, as follows: 

Sec. 61.085.  EDUCATIONAL SKILL LEVEL.  Requires the Texas Youth Commission
(commission) to release a child under supervision only if the child has
acquired a certain level of education.  Prohibits that child's release
without the education or skills, except under a waiver based on the child's
intellectual incapacity or based on a gubernatorial declaration of
insufficient resources.  Authorizes the commission, if the governor waives
the requirement, to release under supervision a child who the commission
has determined has not reached the educational skill level if the
commission requires the child to attain that level. 

SECTION 2.Effective date: September 1, 1999.
  Makes application of this Act prospective.

SECTION 3.Emergency clause.