HBA-CMT H.B. 1901 77(R) BILL ANALYSIS Office of House Bill AnalysisH.B. 1901 By: Turner, Sylvester Corrections 3/25/2001 Introduced BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE A significant issue facing the Texas juvenile justice system is the overwhelming number of youths who have a diagnosable mental disorder. As Texas juvenile facilities try to meet the needs of these children, the state has yet to come up with a comprehensive and coordinated plan to address the scope of this issue. Whenever possible, youths with mental health disorders should be diverted from the juvenile justice system into a system which can provide appropriate care. However, some judges are left with no choice other than to place a juvenile with a mental disorder in a juvenile facility. House Bill 1901 requires the Texas Council on Offenders with Mental Impairments to conduct a study and develop a comprehensive plan for juveniles with mental health and substance abuse disorders who are involved or who are at risk of becoming involved in the juvenile justice system. RULEMAKING AUTHORITY It is the opinion of the Office of House Bill Analysis that this bill does not expressly delegate any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, department, agency, or institution. ANALYSIS House Bill 1901 amends the Health and Safety Code to require the Texas Council on Offenders with Mental Impairments (council) to conduct a study and develop a comprehensive plan for juveniles with mental health and substance abuse disorders who are involved in or are at risk of becoming involved in the juvenile justice system. The bill sets forth provisions regarding what the plan must address. The bill requires the council to include representatives of the following persons that it considers necessary in the preparation of the study plan: _local and state juvenile justice entities; _mental health entities; _substance abuse groups; _educational groups _service providers; _family members of juveniles; _advocacy organizations; _the Department of Protective and Regulatory Services; and _any other group or entity. The bill requires the council to submit the study and plan to, including recommendations and projected funding to implement the plan, to the lieutenant governor, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, and members of the Legislature on or before December 1, 2002. The bill specifies entities that the council is authorized to work in cooperation with to establish pilot programs, building on existing programs in communities, to address prevention, intervention, and continuity of care for juveniles with mental health and substance abuse disorders. EFFECTIVE DATE On passage, or if the Act does not receive the necessary vote, the Act takes effect September 1, 2001.