SRC-JBJ S.B. 678 77(R)   BILL ANALYSIS


Senate Research Center   S.B. 678
77R1654 JMC-DBy: West
Jurisprudence
2/15/2001
As Filed


DIGEST AND PURPOSE 

Under current Texas law, some Teen Courts are experiencing an undue and
unnecessary burden in the execution of juvenile justice.  As proposed, S.B.
678 would amend the period a justice or municipal court is authorized to
defer proceedings. 

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

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

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1.  Amends Article 45.052, Code of Criminal Procedure, to authorize
a justice or municipal court to defer proceedings against a defendant who
is under the age of 18 or enrolled full time in an accredited secondary
school in a program leading toward a high school diploma for a period
described by Subsection (b), rather than 90 days, if the defendant meets
certain conditions.  Authorizes the justice or municipal court to defer
proceedings under this article until the 90th day after the date the teen
court hearing to determine punishment is held.  Makes a conforming change. 

SECTION 2.  Amends Section 54.032, Family Code, to make conforming and
nonsubstantive changes. 

SECTION 3.  Effective date: September 1, 2001.
            Makes application of this Act prospective.