BILL ANALYSIS

 

 

 

S.B. 58

By: Zaffirini

Corrections

Committee Report (Unamended)

 

 

 

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.