BILL ANALYSIS |
By: Zaffirini |
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 count y 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 result s 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.
S.B. 58 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
S.B. 58 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.