86R16618 EAS-D
By: White H.B. No. 4607
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to the construction of small occupancy facilities by the
Texas Juvenile Justice Department.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Subchapter B, Chapter 242, Human Resources Code,
is amended by adding Section 242.0525 to read as follows:
Sec. 242.0525. SMALL OCCUPANCY FACILITIES. (a) The
department shall construct small occupancy facilities with the
purpose of gradually closing and replacing the large, remote secure
facilities operated by the department. In constructing the small
occupancy facilities, the department shall ensure that each small
occupancy facility:
(1) provides a therapeutic and rehabilitative
setting;
(2) provides housing for not more than 40 children;
and
(3) is constructed in conjunction with the
regionalization plan described by Section 203.017.
(b) Not later than July 1, 2020, the department shall
complete the construction of five small occupancy facilities. Not
later than July 1, 2021, the department shall complete the
construction of five additional small occupancy facilities.
(c) After the completion of construction of each small
occupancy facility, the department, in coordination with the office
of inspector general, shall move children who are committed to the
large, remote secure facilities operated by the department into the
small occupancy facility.
SECTION 2. This Act takes effect September 1, 2019.