BILL ANALYSIS

Senate Research Center	S.B. 2190
	By: Whitmire
	Criminal Justice
	3/22/2019
	As Filed

AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT

Legislation by the 84th Legislature (S.B. 1630) restricted juveniles in the criminal justice system from being housed in structures that were once utilized for the housing of adult offenders. This was incorporated as part of the regionalization plan for juveniles and in keeping them closer to home and families. Upon review of the current status, however, it has become apparent that excluding these facilities has shortened the services that the State may provide to these youth.

S.B. 2190 allows for the housing of youth in facilities that were previously intended for adults. As we strive to reduce the population of our secure facilities and with the goal of moving more youth closer to home, it is important that we have flexibility in terms of housing juveniles moving forward. This legislation helps achieve that by freeing up existing facilities and makes available possible contracts that otherwise have proven difficult to secure.

As proposed, S.B. 2190 amends current law relating to the confinement of juveniles in certain facilities.

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 Section 203.018, Human Resources Code, to delete Subdivision (e) relating to prohibiting the Texas Juvenile Justice Department or any local probation department from using or contracting with a facility that was constructed or previously used for the confinement of adult offenders.

SECTION 2. Effective date: September 1, 2019.

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