Texas House Bill HB945

Texas 2011 - 82nd Regular

• Out of House Committee: 4/19/11
• Introduced: 1/26/11
• Refer: 2/24/11
• Report Pass: 4/12/11

Caption

Relating to the disproportionality of certain groups in the juvenile justice, child welfare, health, and mental health systems and the disproportionality of the delivery of certain services in the education system.

Impact

The bill proposes an amendment to the Human Resources Code, introducing a dedicated council responsible for monitoring and evaluating the services provided to minority children. This includes assessing the disparities in services they receive and formulating strategic recommendations. By improving the oversight of these systems, the bill seeks to ensure a more equitable framework that benefits underrepresented children, particularly in early intervention and educational opportunities. The establishment of this council is expected to highlight and address systemic inequities across the various agencies involved.

Summary

House Bill 945 addresses the disproportionality affecting certain minority groups within the juvenile justice, child welfare, health, and mental health systems in Texas. The primary objective of the bill is to establish an Interagency Council that will investigate and make recommendations aimed at reducing the involvement of minority children in these systems and improving their access to education. The council will specifically examine the various stages of involvement and outcomes for minority groups, working towards actionable improvements in these critical areas.

Contention

While the bill aims to address significant disparities, there may be points of contention regarding execution and funding. Critics may argue about the adequacy of resources allocated to the proposed council and its initiatives. Furthermore, the effectiveness of the council in driving meaningful change could be scrutinized, especially if it lacks the necessary support and collaboration from key stakeholders within the juvenile justice, health, and education sectors. Overall, the comprehensive focus on these areas reflects a strategic move towards enhancing services and outcomes for vulnerable populations in Texas.