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


Senate Research CenterC.S.S.B. 678
77R1654 JMC-DBy: West
Jurisprudence
2/20/2001
Committee Report (Substituted)


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 Articles 45.052(a) and (c), 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 not
more than 180 days, rather than for 90 days, if the defendant meets certain
conditions.  Requires a defendant for whom proceedings are deferred under
Subsection (a) to complete the teen court program not later than the 90th
day after the date the teen court hearing to determine punishment is held.  

SECTION 2.  Amends Sections 54.032(a) and (c), Family Code, to make
conforming and nonsubstantive changes. 

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

     
SUMMARY OF COMMITTEE CHANGES

SECTION 1.  Differs from the original by amending provisions relating to
the time period for participation by a defendant in the teen court program. 

SECTION 2.  Makes conforming changes.

SECTION 3.  No change.