BILL ANALYSIS

C.S.H.B. 1351

By: Vaught

Corrections

Committee Report (Substituted)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Currently, there is an automated statewide juvenile information and case management system under which the Texas Juvenile Probation Commission is authorized to collect and maintain all information related to juvenile offenders and all offenses committed by a juvenile offender.  Juvenile justice agencies are required to have access to all data in the system and are authorized to share information with appropriate partner agencies and other authorized entities.

Today, caseworker software is used to track cases, but every county has its own computer system. While some counties' systems vary from multi-county to multi-jurisdictional systems, others do not have this broad range of access. This results in a problem in assessing the needs of a juvenile offender, as not every juvenile justice entity has access to a juvenile's entire history.  The state has authorized a statewide system, but funds have not been secured to implement the system on a large scale.  The implementation of such a large-scale system will provide for the common data collection, reporting, and management needs of Texas juvenile probation departments and will aid in providing the flexibility to accommodate individualized requirements. It will also maximize technological development and leverage resources of the state and counties through the development partnership and sharing of costs by juvenile justice entities.

C.S.H.B. 1351 authorizes the expansion of the juvenile justice case management system, which will track the complete history of juvenile offenders across all counties and jurisdictions in Texas. 

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.

ANALYSIS

C.S.H.B. 1351 amends the Family Code to authorize the Texas Juvenile Probation Commission through the adoption of an interlocal contract under the Interlocal Cooperation Act with one or more counties to participate in and assist counties in the creation, operation, and maintenance of a juvenile information and case management system that is intended for statewide use and to make conforming changes.  The bill authorizes the commission to use funds appropriated for the implementation of the system to pay costs incurred under an interlocal contract, including license fees, maintenance and operations costs, administrative costs, and any other costs specified in the contract.  The bill authorizes the commission to provide training services to counties on the use and operation of a system created, operated, or maintained by one or more counties.

EFFECTIVE DATE

September 1, 2009.

COMPARISON OF ORIGINAL AND SUBSTITUTE

C.S.H.B. 1351 differs from the original by authorizing, rather than requiring, the Texas Juvenile Probation Commission to participate in and assist counties in the creation and maintenance of the juvenile information and case management system.  The substitute adds a provision not in the original authorizing the commission to participate and assist in the operation of the system.  The substitute differs from the original by specifying that the commission's participation and assistance with the system is to be through an interlocal contract under the Interlocal Cooperation Act with one or more counties.  The substitute adds provisions not in the original authorizing the commission to use funds appropriated for the implementation of the system to pay costs incurred under an interlocal contract and to provide training services to counties on the use and operation of a system created, operated, or maintained by one or more counties.  The substitute removes a provision in the original making the commission's collection and maintenance of information related to juvenile offenders and offenses committed by a juvenile offender mandatory, rather than discretionary.