By: Zaffirini S.B. No. 61

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to juvenile case managers.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:

SECTION 1. The heading to Article 45.056, Code of Criminal Procedure, is amended to read as follows:

Art. 45.056. AUTHORITY TO EMPLOY JUVENILE CASE MANAGERS; REIMBURSEMENT; MINIMUM STANDARDS.

SECTION 2. Article 45.056, Code of Criminal Procedure, is amended by amending Subsection (d) and adding Subsections (f), (g), and (h) to read as follows:

(d) Pursuant to Article 102.0174, the court may pay the salary and benefits and pay for the training of the juvenile case manager from the juvenile case manager fund.

(f) The governing body of the employing governmental entity under this article shall adopt reasonable rules for juvenile case managers that provide:

(1) a code of ethics, and for the enforcement of that code;

(2) minimum education requirements; and

(3) minimum training standards, including requirements that each juvenile case manager receive training in:

(A) the role of the juvenile case manager;

(B) case planning and management;

(C) juvenile law;

(D) courtroom proceedings and presentation;

(E) law enforcement proceedings;

(F) local programs and services for juveniles and methods by which juveniles may access those programs and services; and

(G) detecting and preventing abuse, exploitation, and neglect of children.

(g) The employing court or governmental entity under this article shall enforce the rules adopted under Subsection (f).

(h) The commissioners court or governing body of the municipality that administers the juvenile case manager fund under Article 102.0174 shall require periodic review of juvenile case managers to ensure enforcement of the rules adopted under Subsection (f).

SECTION 3. Subsection (g), Article 102.0174, Code of Criminal Procedure, is amended to read as follows:

(g) A fund created under this section may be used only to finance the salary, [and] benefits, and training of a juvenile case manager employed under Article 45.056. The fund may not be used to supplement the income of an employee whose primary role is not that of a juvenile case manager.

SECTION 4. Not later than December 1, 2011, the governing body of a governmental entity that employs a juvenile case manager under Article 45.056, Code of Criminal Procedure, as amended by this Act, shall adopt the rules required under that article.

SECTION 5. This Act takes effect immediately if it receives a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution. If this Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this Act takes effect September 1, 2011.