BILL ANALYSIS

C.S.H.B. 2119

By: Madden

Corrections

Committee Report (Substituted)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Currently, the Texas Correctional Office on Offenders with Mental and Medical Impairments establishes and funds certain juvenile treatment services and programs. Interested parties further assert that this requirement has been largely accomplished with appropriations provided to the office for the purpose of contracting with certain entities for certain services.

C.S.H.B. 2119 seeks to make the requirement that the office provide certain services and programs contingent on funding appropriated for that purpose.

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. 2119 amends the Health and Safety Code to make contingent on an appropriation by the legislature specifically for the purpose the requirement that the Texas Correctional Office on Offenders with Medical or Mental Impairments provide a service or program under provisions of law relating to programs to address prevention, intervention, and continuity of care for juveniles with mental health and substance abuse disorders and a youth assertive community treatment program in Tarrant County.  The bill authorizes the office to provide such a service or program using other appropriations available for that purpose if the legislature does not appropriate money specifically for that purpose.

EFFECTIVE DATE

On passage, or, if the bill does not receive the necessary vote, September 1, 2011.

COMPARISON OF ORIGINAL AND SUBSTITUTE

C.S.H.B. 2119 differs from the original by making the appropriation contingency apply to a service or program provided by the Texas Correctional Office on Offenders with Medical or Mental Impairments under provisions of law relating to programs to address prevention, intervention, and continuity of care for juveniles with mental health and substance abuse disorders, whereas the original applies to provisions of law relating to such programs and to continuity of care services of certain children with mental illness or mental retardation.  The substitute differs from the original by making conforming changes in the provision authorizing the office to provide a service or program under certain provisions of law.  The substitute omits a provision included in the original making the appropriation contingency apply to a service or program provided by the office under provisions of law relating to the continuity of care for juveniles with mental impairments in the juvenile justice system. The substitute differs from the original by making a conforming change to reflect the office's authority to provide a service or program under provisions of law relating to programs to address prevention, intervention, and continuity of care for juveniles with mental health and substance abuse disorders using other appropriations available for that purpose.