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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 include: |
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(1) an evaluation of the number of juvenile probation |
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departments that operate victim-offender mediation programs; |
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(2) an evaluation of the number of juvenile probation |
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departments that contract for the services of victim-offender |
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mediation programs; |
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(3) a comprehensive program description of |
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victim-offender mediation programs that includes an evaluation of |
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program eligibility criteria and the process for utilizing the |
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mediation services; |
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(4) an evaluation of the number of children served by |
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victim-offender mediation programs annually, including individual |
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data on referral offenses and demographic information for children |
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served by victim-offender mediation programs; |
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(5) an evaluation of the number of mediation |
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agreements established in victim-offender mediation programs |
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annually; and |
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(6) the funding sources for victim-offender mediation |
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programs and the cost to operate those programs. |
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(b) Not later than January 1, 2009, 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) 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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(c) This section expires January 31, 2009. |
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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. |
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______________________________ |
______________________________ |
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President of the Senate |
Speaker of the House |
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I certify that H.B. No. 2291 was passed by the House on May 9, |
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2007, by the following vote: Yeas 144, Nays 0, 2 present, not |
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voting; and that the House concurred in Senate amendments to H.B. |
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No. 2291 on May 25, 2007, by the following vote: Yeas 136, Nays 0, |
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2 present, not voting. |
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______________________________ |
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Chief Clerk of the House |
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I certify that H.B. No. 2291 was passed by the Senate, with |
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amendments, on May 22, 2007, by the following vote: Yeas 30, Nays |
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0. |
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______________________________ |
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Secretary of the Senate |
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APPROVED: __________________ |
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Date |
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__________________ |
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Governor |