BILL ANALYSIS

H.B. 2568

By: Miller

Juvenile Justice & Family Issues

Committee Report (Unamended)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

It has been noted that the Texas Juvenile Justice Department is beginning to move toward stable dorm assignments for both the youth and staff members. Concerns have been raised that the requirement to rotate the assignment of each juvenile correctional officer prevents officers from developing appropriate relationships that could better equip them to identify when youth are struggling and to help youth regulate their behaviors. H.B. 2568 seeks to repeal the requirement to rotate the assignment of each juvenile correctional officer.

CRIMINAL JUSTICE IMPACT

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly create a criminal offense, increase the punishment for an existing criminal offense or category of offenses, or change the eligibility of a person for community supervision, parole, or mandatory supervision.

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, department, agency, or institution.

ANALYSIS

H.B. 2568 repeals Section 242.009(f), Human Resources Code, which requires the Texas Juvenile Justice Department (TJJD) to rotate the assignment of each juvenile correctional officer at an interval determined by TJJD so that an officer is not assigned to the same station for an extended period of time.

EFFECTIVE DATE

On passage, or, if the bill does not receive the necessary vote, September 1, 2019.