Honorable Harold V. Dutton, Jr., Chair, House Committee on Juvenile Justice & Family Issues
FROM:
John McGeady, Assistant Director Sarah Keyton, Assistant Director Legislative Budget Board
IN RE:
HB4267 by Wu (relating to requirements for a juvenile’s appearance in a judicial proceeding.), Committee Report 1st House, Substituted
No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.
The bill would amend the Family Code to prohibit the use of restraints on a child during a judicial proceeding unless the court finds it necessary to prevent harm to the child or prevent the child's escape and provide the child's attorney an opportunity to be heard before the court may order the use of restraints. The bill would also allow a child to wear clothing other than the uniform provided by a detention center during a judicial proceeding upon request of a child's attorney and allow the court to deny the request if it finds that it would increase the flight risk of the child or the safety risk of the child or another person.
Based on the analysis of the Office of Court Administration and the Juvenile Justice Department, duties and responsibilities associated with implementing the provisions of the bill could be accomplished using existing resources.
The bill would take effect September 1, 2019.
Local Government Impact
No significant fiscal implication to units of local government is anticipated.
Source Agencies:
212 Office of Court Administration, Texas Judicial Council, 644 Juvenile Justice Department