BILL ANALYSIS Senate Research Center S.B. 2693 89R12659 CJD-F By: Perry Criminal Justice 4/16/2025 As Filed AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT Current law requires that the Texas Juvenile Justice Department (TJJD) to allow advocacy and support groups into department facilities. However, currently law does not allow TJJD to evaluate whether or not the services provided by an advocacy or support group are in the best interest of a youth committed to the department. S.B. 2693 clarifies that TJJD may allow an advocacy or support group into a facility if the services the group provides are in the best interest of a youth committed to the department. Additionally, S.B. 2693 requires TJJD to deny admission to an advocacy or support group that has filed a complaint with the federal government regarding the department, while the investigation is pending, or a lawsuit against the department, while the lawsuit is pending. As proposed, S.B. 2693 amends current law relating to the role of advocacy and support groups in the juvenile justice system. RULEMAKING AUTHORITY This bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, institution, or agency. SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS SECTION 1. Amends Section 203.017(b-1), Human Resources Code, to delete existing text requiring the Texas Juvenile Justice Department (TJJD), in addition to the requirements of Subsection (b) (relating to requiring TJJD to consult with juvenile probation departments in developing a regionalization plan), to consult with advocacy groups and to make nonsubstantive changes. SECTION 2. Amends Section 242.056, Human Resources Code, by amending Subsections (a) and (b) and adding Subsections (d), (e), and (f), as follows: (a) Authorizes, rather than requires, TJJD, if TJJD finds that the involvement of an advocacy or support group is in the best interest of a child, to allow an advocacy or support group whose primary function is to benefit children, inmates, girls and women, persons with mental illness, or victims of sexual assault to provide on-site information, support, and other services for the child confined in a TJJD facility. Makes nonsubstantive changes. (b) Deletes existing text prohibiting TJJD's security and privacy procedures from being designed to deny an advocacy or support group access to children confined in TJJD facilities. (d) Requires TJJD, except as provided by Subsection (e), to deny admission to a TJJD facility to an advocacy or support group that has filed a complaint with the federal government regarding TJJD, while the investigation regarding the complaint is pending or a lawsuit against TJJD, while the lawsuit is pending. (e) Requires TJJD to allow an advocacy or support group to provide information, support, or services under Section 242.056 (Advocacy and Support Groups) if admission of an advocacy or support group to a TJJD facility is required by federal law. (f) Provides that nothing in this section is to be construed to prevent an attorney from meeting with a client or a potential client that has inquired about the attorney's services. SECTION 3. Effective date: September 1, 2025.
BILL ANALYSIS
Senate Research Center S.B. 2693
89R12659 CJD-F By: Perry
Criminal Justice
4/16/2025
As Filed
Senate Research Center
S.B. 2693
89R12659 CJD-F
By: Perry
Criminal Justice
4/16/2025
As Filed
AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT
Current law requires that the Texas Juvenile Justice Department (TJJD) to allow advocacy and support groups into department facilities. However, currently law does not allow TJJD to evaluate whether or not the services provided by an advocacy or support group are in the best interest of a youth committed to the department.
S.B. 2693 clarifies that TJJD may allow an advocacy or support group into a facility if the services the group provides are in the best interest of a youth committed to the department. Additionally, S.B. 2693 requires TJJD to deny admission to an advocacy or support group that has filed a complaint with the federal government regarding the department, while the investigation is pending, or a lawsuit against the department, while the lawsuit is pending.
As proposed, S.B. 2693 amends current law relating to the role of advocacy and support groups in the juvenile justice system.
RULEMAKING AUTHORITY
This bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, institution, or agency.
SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS
SECTION 1. Amends Section 203.017(b-1), Human Resources Code, to delete existing text requiring the Texas Juvenile Justice Department (TJJD), in addition to the requirements of Subsection (b) (relating to requiring TJJD to consult with juvenile probation departments in developing a regionalization plan), to consult with advocacy groups and to make nonsubstantive changes.
SECTION 2. Amends Section 242.056, Human Resources Code, by amending Subsections (a) and (b) and adding Subsections (d), (e), and (f), as follows:
(a) Authorizes, rather than requires, TJJD, if TJJD finds that the involvement of an advocacy or support group is in the best interest of a child, to allow an advocacy or support group whose primary function is to benefit children, inmates, girls and women, persons with mental illness, or victims of sexual assault to provide on-site information, support, and other services for the child confined in a TJJD facility. Makes nonsubstantive changes.
(b) Deletes existing text prohibiting TJJD's security and privacy procedures from being designed to deny an advocacy or support group access to children confined in TJJD facilities.
(d) Requires TJJD, except as provided by Subsection (e), to deny admission to a TJJD facility to an advocacy or support group that has filed a complaint with the federal government regarding TJJD, while the investigation regarding the complaint is pending or a lawsuit against TJJD, while the lawsuit is pending.
(e) Requires TJJD to allow an advocacy or support group to provide information, support, or services under Section 242.056 (Advocacy and Support Groups) if admission of an advocacy or support group to a TJJD facility is required by federal law.
(f) Provides that nothing in this section is to be construed to prevent an attorney from meeting with a client or a potential client that has inquired about the attorney's services.
SECTION 3. Effective date: September 1, 2025.