HBA-CMT H.B. 1901 77(R)    BILL ANALYSIS


Office of House Bill AnalysisH.B. 1901
By: Turner, Sylvester
Corrections
3/25/2001
Introduced



BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE 

A significant issue facing the Texas juvenile justice system is the
overwhelming number of youths who have a diagnosable mental disorder.  As
Texas juvenile facilities try to meet the needs of these children, the
state has yet to come up with a comprehensive and coordinated plan to
address the scope of this issue. Whenever possible, youths with mental
health disorders should be diverted from the juvenile justice system into a
system which can provide appropriate care.  However, some judges are left
with no choice other than to place a juvenile with a mental disorder in a
juvenile facility.  House Bill 1901 requires the Texas Council on Offenders
with Mental Impairments to conduct a  study and develop a comprehensive
plan for juveniles with mental health and substance abuse disorders who are
involved or who are at risk of becoming involved in the juvenile justice
system.   

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

It is the opinion of the Office of House Bill Analysis that this bill does
not expressly delegate any additional rulemaking authority to a state
officer, department, agency, or institution. 

ANALYSIS

House Bill 1901 amends the Health and Safety Code to require the Texas
Council on Offenders with Mental Impairments (council) to conduct a study
and develop a comprehensive plan for juveniles with mental health and
substance abuse disorders who are involved in or are at risk of becoming
involved in the juvenile justice system.  The bill sets forth provisions
regarding what the plan must address.  The bill requires the council to
include representatives of the following persons that it considers
necessary in the preparation of the study plan: 

_local and state juvenile justice entities;

_mental health entities;

_substance abuse groups; 

_educational groups

_service providers; 

_family members of juveniles;

_advocacy organizations;

_the Department of Protective and Regulatory Services; and

_any other group or entity. 

 
The bill requires the council to submit the study and plan to, including
recommendations and projected funding to implement the plan, to the
lieutenant governor, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, and
members of the Legislature on or before December 1, 2002.   

The bill specifies entities that the council is authorized to work in
cooperation with to establish pilot programs, building on existing programs
in communities, to address prevention, intervention, and continuity of care
for juveniles with mental health and substance abuse disorders. 

EFFECTIVE DATE

On passage, or if the Act does not receive the necessary vote, the Act
takes effect September 1, 2001.