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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to a study of victim-offender mediation programs for |
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juvenile offenders. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Subchapter C, Chapter 141, Human Resources Code, |
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is amended by adding Section 141.055 to read as follows: |
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Sec. 141.055. STUDY OF VICTIM-OFFENDER MEDIATION PROGRAMS |
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FOR JUVENILE OFFENDERS; REPORT. (a) The commission shall conduct a |
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study of established victim-offender mediation programs for |
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juvenile offenders in this state for the purpose of determining the |
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potential effect on the state's juvenile justice system of |
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establishing guidelines for and expanding the implementation of |
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victim-offender mediation programs for juvenile offenders. The |
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study must evaluate: |
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(1) the methodology of established victim-offender |
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mediation programs for juvenile offenders; |
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(2) any reduction in recidivism for juvenile offenders |
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who have successfully completed victim-offender mediation |
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programs; |
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(3) the success rates for the collection of |
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restitution by juvenile probation departments and the fulfillment |
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of restitution agreements by juvenile offenders; and |
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(4) typical costs and funding sources for |
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victim-offender mediation programs for juvenile offenders. |
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(b) Before conducting the study, the commission shall: |
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(1) consult any relevant guidelines issued by the |
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United States Department of Justice's Office for Victims of Crime; |
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and |
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(2) seek assistance from leading experts on |
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victim-offender mediation programs in establishing parameters, |
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information collection techniques, and reasonable legal |
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assumptions in evaluating victim-offender mediation programs for |
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juvenile offenders. |
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(c) Experts from whom the commission may seek assistance |
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under Subsection (b)(2) include: |
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(1) persons who have established and who currently |
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operate victim-offender mediation programs; |
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(2) persons who direct national projects on |
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victim-offender mediation; and |
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(3) professors of law or criminal justice who are |
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employed by institutions of higher education, as defined by Section |
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61.003, Education Code. |
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(d) Not later than July 1, 2008, the commission shall |
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provide a report describing the results of the study to each member |
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of the legislature. The report must include: |
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(1) the estimated cost to the state and local |
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governments of expanding the implementation and administration of |
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victim-offender mediation programs for juvenile offenders; |
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(2) a review of the benefits to juvenile offenders and |
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victims of participating in victim-offender mediation programs for |
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juvenile offenders; and |
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(3) any recommendations for legislation establishing |
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guidelines for and expanding the implementation and administration |
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of victim-offender mediation programs for juvenile offenders in |
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this state. |
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(e) This section expires December 1, 2008. |
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SECTION 2. This Act takes effect immediately if it receives |
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a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as |
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provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution. If this |
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Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this |
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Act takes effect September 1, 2007. |