MINUTES

SENATE COMMITTEE ON CRIMINAL JUSTICE

Tuesday, October 30, 2012

9:30 AM

Capitol Extension, Room E1.036

*****

Pursuant to a notice posted in accordance with Senate Rule 11.10 and 11.18, a public hearing of the Senate Committee on Criminal Justice was held on Tuesday, October 30, 2012, in the Capitol Extension, Room E1.036, at Austin, Texas.

*****

MEMBERS PRESENT:	MEMBERS ABSENT:
Senator John Whitmire, Chair	Senator John Carona
Senator Joan Huffman, Vice Chair
Senator Rodney Ellis
Senator Glenn Hegar
Senator Juan Hinojosa
Senator Dan Patrick

*****

The chair called the meeting to order at 9:34 AM. This being a joint hear the senate education committee was also called to order by its chair. There being a quorum present for both committees, the following business was transacted:

The chair called invited and public testimony for interim charge 7, Conduct a comprehensive review of school discipline practices. Specifically, review and make recommendations on:

The effectiveness of Disciplinary Alternative Education Programs (DAEP) and Juvenile Justice Alternative Education Programs (JJAEP) in reducing students' involvement in further disciplinary infractions and in promoting positive educational achievement;

Disproportionate school discipline referrals, including suspension, expulsion and Class C misdemeanor citations;

The issue of "Zero Tolerance" in secondary education school discipline, their use of alternative education campuses, and the barriers they create toward graduation. Also include the role that specialized school police departments play in these systems. Consider the impact on the juvenile justice system and the adult prison system;

The number of students in the conservatorship of the Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS) referred to juvenile or municipal courts, suspended, expelled, and placed in Disciplinary Alternative Education Programs (DAEP). Examine data-sharing practices between DFPS, TEA, and local education agencies and make recommendations to increase communication between schools and DFPS to increase educational outcomes for children in foster care;

Evidence-based models used for addressing juvenile delinquency prevention that are targeted to non-adjudicated, but at-risk youth, in the school disciplinary system.

At 12:20 PM Senator Whitmire moved that the Committee stand recessed subject to the call of the chair. Without objection, it was so ordered.

At 2:00 PM Senator Whitmire reconvened the meeting continuing invited and public testimony for both committees.

There being no further business, at 4:20 PM Senator Whitmire moved that the Committee stand recessed subject to the call of the chair. Senate education did the same. Without objection, it was so ordered.

__________________________________________

Senator John Whitmire, Chair

__________________________________________

Terra Tucker, Clerk