BILL ANALYSIS
Senate Research Center C.S.S.B. 58
Committee Report (Substituted)
AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT
Currently, the law allows for the existence of an automated statewide juvenile information and case management system. The state has authorized a statewide system, but funds have not been secured to implement it.
The purpose of this legislation is to authorize funding for the Juvenile Justice Case Management System (system) which will enable state and county agencies to compile a comprehensive juvenile justice information and case management system. The bill will provide for the common data collection, reporting, and management needs of Texas juvenile probation departments as well as create flexibility to accommodate individualized requirements and will allow for collaboration and corroboration of information, allowing agencies to intervene sooner with a "big picture" view of a particular juvenile's situation. The bill will benefit juvenile offenders because it will allow a particular juvenile justice entity to have access to a juvenile's history and needs and respond accordingly. In addition, the system will be able to track assessment and success rates of offenders.
The creation of a statewide system will maximize technology development and leverage resources of the state and counties through the development partnership and cost-sharing by juvenile justice entities.
C.S.S.B. 58 amends current law relating to the administration of the Juvenile Justice Case Management System created under the Family Code.
RULEMAKING AUTHORITY
SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS
SECTION 1. Amends Sections 58.403, Family Code, as follows:
Sec. 58.403. JUVENILE INFORMATION SYSTEM. (a) Authorizes the Texas Juvenile Probation Commission (TJPC), through the adoption of an interlocal contract under Chapter 791 (Interlocal Cooperation Contracts), Government Code, with one or more counties, to participate in and assist counties in the creation, operation, and maintenance of a system that is intended for statewide use to aid and facilitate in processing cases, delivering services to children in the juvenile justice system, identifying at-risk and delinquent children, and cross-jurisdictional sharing of information related to juvenile offenders between certain agencies. Deletes existing text authorizing TJPC in partnership with local counties to participate and assist in the creation and maintenance of a statewide system.
(b) Authorizes TJPC to use funds appropriated for the implementation of this section to pay costs incurred under an interlocal contract described by Subsection (a), including license fees, maintenance and operations costs, administrative costs, and any other costs specified in the interlocal contract.
(c) Authorizes TJPC to provide training services to counties on the use and operation of a system created, operated, or maintained by one or more counties under Subsection (a).
SECTION 2. Effective date: September 1, 2009.