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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to the authority of the independent ombudsman for the |
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Texas Juvenile Justice Department to investigate and evaluate |
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certain juvenile facilities. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Section 261.101(e), Human Resources Code, as |
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amended by Section 11(a), Chapter 854 (S.B. 1149), and Chapter 962 |
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(S.B. 1630), Acts of the 84th Legislature, Regular Session, 2015, |
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is reenacted and amended to read as follows: |
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(e) Notwithstanding any other provision of this chapter, |
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the powers of the office include: |
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(1) evaluating the effective delivery of services in: |
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(A) facilities operated and services provided by |
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the department under Subtitle C; |
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(B) [(2)] post-adjudication correctional |
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facilities under Section 51.125, Family Code, or Section 152.0016 |
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of this code; and |
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(C) [(3)] any other residential facility in |
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which a child adjudicated as having engaged in conduct indicating a |
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need for supervision or delinquent conduct is placed by court |
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order; and |
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(2) [(4)] the investigation of complaints alleging a |
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violation of the rights of the children placed in a facility |
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described by Subdivision (1) [(2) or (3)]. |
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SECTION 2. Section 261.101(f), Human Resources Code, is |
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amended to read as follows: |
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(f) This subsection and Subsection [Subsections] (a-1) [and
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(e)] expire December 31, 2018. |
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SECTION 3. Section 261.151, Human Resources Code, is |
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amended by adding Subsection (d) to read as follows: |
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(d) A facility described by Section 261.101(e)(1)(B) or (C) |
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shall allow the independent ombudsman access to the facility's |
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records relating to any child in the care or custody of the |
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facility. |
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SECTION 4. Section 11(b), Chapter 854 (S.B. 1149), Acts of |
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the 84th Legislature, Regular Session, 2015, which added Section |
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261.101(e), Human Resources Code, is repealed. |
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SECTION 5. This Act takes effect immediately if it receives |
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a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as |
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provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution. If this |
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Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this |
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Act takes effect September 1, 2017. |