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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to a study by the Sunset Advisory Commission to be used in |
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its sunset review of the Texas Youth Commission. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Chapter 325, Government Code, is amended by |
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adding Section 325.0121 to read as follows: |
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Sec. 325.0121. STUDY ON TRANSITION TOWARD REGIONALIZED |
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JUVENILE CORRECTIONS. (a) The commission shall appoint an |
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advisory committee as provided by this section to develop a |
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practicable plan to move the Texas Youth Commission toward a |
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regionalized structure of smaller facilities and more diversified |
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treatment and placement options, taking into consideration the |
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likely effects of this regionalized structure on: |
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(1) recidivism; |
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(2) juvenile and family access to services; and |
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(3) costs to this state and the counties of this state. |
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(b) The commission shall take into consideration the |
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findings and recommendations of the advisory committee in its |
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report to the legislature under Section 325.012 as part of its |
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review of the Texas Youth Commission, which, as provided by Section |
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61.020, Human Resources Code, is abolished September 1, 2009, |
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unless continued in existence as provided by this chapter. |
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(c) The commission shall appoint an advisory committee not |
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later than December 1, 2007. |
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(d) The advisory committee consists of nine members |
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appointed by the commission in consultation with the Texas Youth |
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Commission, Texas Juvenile Probation Commission, lieutenant |
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governor, and speaker of the house of representatives. At least |
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three of the members must be nationally recognized experts in the |
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field of juvenile justice who are not residents of this state. |
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(e) The chairman of the commission shall designate a |
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presiding officer from among the members appointed to the advisory |
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committee. |
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(f) The advisory committee shall convene at the call of the |
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presiding officer. |
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(g) A member of the advisory committee may not receive |
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compensation from the state for committee service but may receive |
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reimbursement for travel to official meetings according to policies |
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established by the commission. |
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(h) Not later than December 1, 2008, the advisory committee |
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shall report the committee's findings and recommendations to the |
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commission. |
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(i) This section expires September 1, 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. |