85R8575 LHC-F
By: White H.B. No. 2907
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to a study on the adjudication of juveniles charged with
misdemeanors punishable by fine only and the use of certain terms
signifying age in the criminal justice and juvenile justice
statutes of this state.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. (a) The Office of Court Administration of the
Texas Judicial System shall conduct a study to examine the use of
the terms "juvenile," "child," and "minor" throughout the criminal
justice and juvenile justice statutes of this state and the varying
definitions assigned those terms. The study shall also determine
whether:
(1) adjudication under the adult criminal justice
system of juveniles charged with misdemeanors punishable by fine
only is just and efficient; and
(2) certain procedures under the juvenile justice
system if used in the adjudication of juveniles charged with
misdemeanors punishable by fine only would provide a more just and
efficient process for responding to violations of the law by
juvenile offenders.
(b) In conducting the study under Subsection (a) of this
section, the Office of Court Administration of the Texas Judicial
System shall consult with the chair of the senate criminal justice
committee, the chair of the juvenile justice and family issues
committee of the house of representatives, and the chair of the
corrections committee of the house of representatives.
(c) Not later than December 1, 2018, the Office of Court
Administration of the Texas Judicial System shall submit a report
containing the results of the study conducted under Subsection (a)
of this section to the governor, the lieutenant governor, the
speaker of the house of representatives, and the appropriate
standing committees of the senate and the house of representatives.
SECTION 2. This Act expires December 1, 2019.
SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2017.