H.B. 829 78(R)    BILL ANALYSIS


H.B. 829
By: Hughes
Juvenile Justice & Family Issues
Committee Report (Unamended)



BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE 

During the 77th Legislative Session, changes were made with regard to
jurisdiction of truancy cases. At that time, juvenile courts in counties
with populations of less than 100,000 were given jurisdiction to hear
truancy cases in the Family Code, but were not given sentencing authority
for truancy cases in the Code of Criminal Procedure, creating a need for
clarification.   

The intent of the 77th Legislature was to give the juvenile courts in
counties with populations of less than 100,000 the necessary jurisdiction
and sentencing authority for truancy cases in all applicable statutes.
This bill would clarify current statutes by inserting sentencing authority
in truancy cases in the Code of Criminal Procedure. 

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly grant any
additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, department, agency, or
institution. 

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

Section 1.  Amends Article 45.054, Subsection (b), Code of Criminal
Procedure, as added by Chapter 1514, Acts of the 77th Legislature, Regular
Session, 2001, by adding Subsection (a-1), which provides for a finding by
a juvenile court in a county with a population of less than 100,000 that
when the individual has engaged in conduct that violates Section 25.094,
Education Code, the court has jurisdiction to enter an order that includes
one or more of the provisions listed under Subsection (a). Subsection (b)
provides that an order under Subsection (a)(3) that requires the parent of
an individual to attend a class for students at risk of dropping out of
school is also enforceable in the juvenile court by contempt. 
 
Section 2.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2003.


EFFECTIVE DATE

September 1, 2003.