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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to the construction of small occupancy facilities by the |
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Texas Juvenile Justice Department. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Subchapter B, Chapter 242, Human Resources Code, |
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is amended by adding Section 242.0525 to read as follows: |
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Sec. 242.0525. SMALL OCCUPANCY FACILITIES. (a) The |
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department shall construct small occupancy facilities with the |
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purpose of gradually closing and replacing the large, remote secure |
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facilities operated by the department. In constructing the small |
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occupancy facilities, the department shall ensure that each small |
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occupancy facility: |
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(1) provides a therapeutic and rehabilitative |
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setting; |
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(2) provides housing for not more than 40 children; |
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and |
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(3) is constructed in conjunction with the |
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regionalization plan described by Section 203.017. |
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(b) Not later than July 1, 2020, the department shall |
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complete the construction of five small occupancy facilities. Not |
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later than July 1, 2021, the department shall complete the |
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construction of five additional small occupancy facilities. |
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(c) After the completion of construction of each small |
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occupancy facility, the department, in coordination with the office |
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of inspector general, shall move children who are committed to the |
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large, remote secure facilities operated by the department into the |
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small occupancy facility. |
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SECTION 2. This Act takes effect September 1, 2019. |