BILL ANALYSIS

Senate Research Center	S.B. 1548
	By: Men�ndez
	Criminal Justice
	6/8/2017
	Enrolled

AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT

S.B. 1548 would give counties the ability to offer post-discharge services to a child who has completed probation, regardless of the age of the child. This bill is permissive. Bexar County Juvenile Probation Department has requested the ability to provide aftercare services for children once they have completed their probationary period, regardless of their age. Research has shown that a youth is at the highest risk period of recidivism in the first six months post discharge. S.B. 1548 seeks to solve this issue and allow juvenile probation departments to offer aftercare services that include behavioral health, mental health, substance abuse, education, mentoring, and job training on a voluntary basis. (Original Author's / Sponsor's Statement of Intent)

S.B. 1548 amends current law relating to post-discharge services offered by a juvenile board or juvenile probation department to a child after the child's probation period ends.

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

This bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, institution, or agency.

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1. Amends Chapter 142, Human Resources Code, by adding Section 142.007, as follows:

Sec. 142.007. POST-DISCHARGE SERVICES. (a) Defines "post-discharge services" to mean certain community-based services offered after a child is discharged from probation to support the child's vocational, educational, behavioral, or other goals and to provide continuity for the child as the child transitions out of juvenile probation services.

(b) Authorizes a juvenile board or juvenile probation department, provided that existing resources are available, to provide post-discharge services to a child for not more than six months after the date the child is discharged from probation, regardless of the age of the child on that date.

(c) Prohibits a juvenile board or juvenile probation department from requiring a child to participate in post-discharge services.

SECTION 2. Effective date: September 1, 2017.