S.B. No. 1548

AN ACT

relating to post-discharge services offered by a juvenile board or juvenile probation department to a child after the child's probation period ends.

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

SECTION 1. Chapter 142, Human Resources Code, is amended by adding Section 142.007 to read as follows:

Sec. 142.007. POST-DISCHARGE SERVICES. (a) For purposes of this section, "post-discharge services" means 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. The term includes:

(1) behavioral health services;

(2) mental health services;

(3) substance abuse services;

(4) mentoring;

(5) job training; and

(6) educational services.

(b) Provided that existing resources are available, a juvenile board or juvenile probation department may 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) A juvenile board or juvenile probation department may not require a child to participate in post-discharge services.

SECTION 2. This Act takes effect September 1, 2017.

______________________________ ______________________________

President of the Senate Speaker of the House

I hereby certify that S.B. No. 1548 passed the Senate on April 26, 2017, by the following vote: Yeas 29, Nays 2.

______________________________ Secretary of the Senate

I hereby certify that S.B. No. 1548 passed the House on May 19, 2017, by the following vote: Yeas 144, Nays 0, two present not voting.

______________________________ Chief Clerk of the House

Approved:

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Date

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Governor