Honorable John T. Smithee, Chair, House Committee on Criminal Jurisprudence
FROM:
Jerry McGinty, Director, Legislative Budget Board
IN RE:
HB1821 by Bowers (Relating to information regarding the procedures and available resources for the sealing of juvenile records.), As Introduced
No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.
The bill would require the Texas Juvenile Justice Department (TJJD) to amend the agency's website to include information about sealing youth juvenile records and listing resources to assist in the process. The bill would require the State Bar of Texas to create and maintain a directory of attorneys that may assist in the process of applying for sealing juvenile records.
According to the Office of Court Administration, no significant fiscal implication to the court system is anticipated.
According to TJJD, the department would require an additional legal aid full-time-equivalent position to coordinate with local juvenile probation departments to assist in implementing the requirements of the bill. It is assumed that these costs could be absorbed using existing resources.
Local Government Impact
The bill would require local juvenile probation departments to provide information and resources regarding sealing a youth's record, including attorneys that may represent persons applying for sealing of a record. There may be a cost to local juvenile probation departments to coordinate resources and dedicate staff to implement the bill's requirements, but the exact impact cannot be determined at this time.
Source Agencies:
212 Office of Court Administration, Texas Judicial Council, 644 Juvenile Justice Department