The bill would add Section 141.055 to the Human Resources Code to require the Juvenile Probation Commission (JPC) to conduct a study of established Texas victim-offender mediation programs for juvenile offenders to determine their potential effect on the juvenile justice system. The study would include an evaluation of the number of juvenile probation departments that operate victim-offender mediation programs; an evaluation of the number of juvenile probation departments that contract for victim-offender mediation programs; a program description of victim-offender mediation programs to include program eligibility criteria, and the process for utilizing the mediation services; an evaluation of the number of youth served by victim-offender mediation programs annually, including individual data on referral offenses and demographic information; an evaluation of the number of mediation agreements established in victim-offender mediation programs annually; and the cost of operation and the funding sources used for victim-offender mediation programs. JPC would be required to provide a report to the legislature not later than January 1, 2009 to include the estimated cost of the implementation and administration of victim-offender mediation programs to state and local governments, a review of the benefits of participation in a victim-offender mediation program to juvenile offenders and victims, and recommendations for legislation establishing guidelines for implementing and administering victim-offender mediation programs. Section 141.055, Human Resources Code, would expire January 31, 2009. The bill would take effect immediately if it receives a two-thirds vote of both houses and September 1, 2007 if it does not receive the necessary vote. JPC anticipates no significant fiscal impact to the state with the passage of the bill.