BILL ANALYSIS

H.B. 454

By: Metcalf

Juvenile Justice & Family Issues

Committee Report (Unamended)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Concerns have been raised about how the odds of a successful outcome for a child with a pending juvenile court case may be negatively impacted by the child residing with a family member experiencing substance abuse issues. H.B. 454 seeks to address this issue by authorizing a county to establish a juvenile family drug court program designed to connect individuals residing in the home of a child who is the subject of a juvenile court case with substance abuse treatment options if applicable.

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. 454 amends the Government Code to authorize the commissioners court of a county to establish a juvenile family drug court program for individuals who are suspected by the Department of Family and Protective Services or the court of having a substance abuse problem and who reside in the home of a child who is the subject of a case filed under the juvenile justice code. The bill prescribes certain essential characteristics of a juvenile family drug court program and authorizes such a program to require a participant to pay the cost of all treatment and services received while participating in the program, based on the participant's ability to pay. The bill requires a county that creates a juvenile family drug court to explore the possibility of using court improvement project money, as well as the availability of federal and state matching money, to finance the court.

EFFECTIVE DATE

September 1, 2021.