88R5805 MCF-D     By: Moody H.B. No. 2627       A BILL TO BE ENTITLED   AN ACT   relating to the adjudication and disposition of cases involving   delinquent conduct, certain juvenile court proceedings, and   planning and funding for services for children in the juvenile   justice system.          BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:          SECTION 1.  Section 51.02, Family Code, is amended by adding   Subdivision (7-a) to read as follows:                (7-a) "Mitigating evidence" means evidence or   information presented at a proceeding under this title that:                      (A)  is used to assess the growth, culpability,   and maturity of a child; and                      (B)  takes into consideration:                            (i)  the diminished culpability of   juveniles, as compared to that of adults;                            (ii)  the hallmark features of youth; and                            (iii)  the greater capacity of juveniles for   change, as compared to that of adults.          SECTION 2.  Section 54.01, Family Code, is amended by adding   Subsections (e-1), (e-2), and (e-3) to read as follows:          (e-1)  At the conclusion of the hearing, the court shall   refer the child to the Department of Family and Protective Services   for early youth intervention services described by Section 264.302   if the court does not release the child on the basis of a finding   described by Subsection (e)(2) or (3).          (e-2)  On receipt of a referral under Subsection (e-1), the   Department of Family and Protective Services shall:                (1)  conduct an early youth intervention services   review not later than 72 hours after the conclusion of the hearing   under Subsection (a); and                (2)  submit the review to the court.          (e-3)  A court that refers a child to the Department of   Family and Protective Services under Subsection (e-1) shall release   the child not later than the 10th working day after the date of the   conclusion of the hearing.          SECTION 3.  Section 54.02, Family Code, is amended by adding   Subsection (d-1) and amending Subsection (h) to read as follows:          (d-1)  In a hearing under this section, a presumption exists   that it is in the best interest of the child and of justice that the   juvenile court retain jurisdiction over the child.  The burden is on   the state to overcome this presumption.          (h)  If the juvenile court waives jurisdiction, it shall   state specifically in the order its reasons for waiver.  The   statement of reasons must include sufficient specificity to permit   meaningful review, provide case-specific findings of fact that do   not rely solely on the nature or seriousness of the offense, and   refer to relevant mitigating evidence.  The court shall [and]   certify its action, including the written order and findings of the   court, and shall transfer the person to the appropriate court for   criminal proceedings and cause the results of the diagnostic study   of the person ordered under Subsection (d), including psychological   information, to be transferred to the appropriate criminal   prosecutor.  On transfer of the person for criminal proceedings,   the person shall be dealt with as an adult and in accordance with   the Code of Criminal Procedure, except that if detention in a   certified juvenile detention facility is authorized under Section   152.0015, Human Resources Code, the juvenile court may order the   person to be detained in the facility pending trial or until the   criminal court enters an order under Article 4.19, Code of Criminal   Procedure.  A transfer of custody made under this subsection is an   arrest.          SECTION 4.  Section 54.04(c), Family Code, is amended to   read as follows:          (c)  No disposition may be made under this section unless the   child is in need of rehabilitation or the protection of the public   or the child requires that disposition be made.  If the court or   jury does not so find, the court shall dismiss the child and enter a   final judgment without any disposition.  No disposition placing the   child on probation outside the child's home may be made under this   section unless the court or jury finds that the child, in the   child's home, cannot be provided the quality of care and level of   support and supervision that the child needs to meet the conditions   of the probation.  The court shall consider mitigating evidence of   the child's circumstances in making a finding under this section.          SECTION 5.  Section 54.04013, Family Code, is amended to   read as follows:          Sec. 54.04013.  SPECIAL COMMITMENT TO TEXAS JUVENILE JUSTICE   DEPARTMENT.  (a)  Notwithstanding any other provision of this code,   after a disposition hearing held in accordance with Section 54.04,   the juvenile court may commit a child who is found to have engaged   in delinquent conduct that constitutes a felony offense to the   Texas Juvenile Justice Department without a determinate sentence if   the court makes a special commitment finding that the child has   behavioral health or other special needs that cannot be met with the   resources available in the community.  The court should consider   the findings of a validated risk and needs assessment and the   findings of any other appropriate professional assessment   available to the court.          (b)  In making a special commitment finding under Subsection   (a), the court may consider mitigating evidence of the child's   circumstances.          SECTION 6.  Section 54.05(f), Family Code, is amended to   read as follows:          (f)  Except as provided by Subsection (j), a disposition   based on a finding that the child engaged in delinquent conduct that   violates a penal law of this state or the United States of the grade   of felony may be modified so as to commit the child to the Texas   Juvenile Justice Department or, if applicable, a post-adjudication   secure correctional facility operated under Section 152.0016,   Human Resources Code, if the court after a hearing to modify   disposition finds by a preponderance of the evidence that the child   violated a reasonable and lawful order of the court and makes a   special commitment finding under Section 54.04013.  A disposition   based on a finding that the child engaged in habitual felony conduct   as described by Section 51.031 or in delinquent conduct that   included a violation of a penal law listed in Section 53.045(a) may   be modified to commit the child to the Texas Juvenile Justice   Department or, if applicable, a post-adjudication secure   correctional facility operated under Section 152.0016, Human   Resources Code, with a possible transfer to the Texas Department of   Criminal Justice for a definite term prescribed by, as applicable,   Section 54.04(d)(3) or Section 152.0016(g), Human Resources Code,   if the original petition was approved by the grand jury under   Section 53.045 and if after a hearing to modify the disposition the   court finds that the child violated a reasonable and lawful order of   the court.          SECTION 7.  Section 54.052(d), Family Code, is amended to   read as follows:          (d)  The Texas Juvenile Justice Department or the juvenile   board or local juvenile probation department operating or   contracting for the operation of the post-adjudication secure   correctional facility under Section 152.0016, Human Resources   Code, as applicable, shall grant any credit under this section or   Section 243.002, Human Resources Code, in computing the child's   eligibility for parole and discharge.          SECTION 8.  Chapter 54, Family Code, is amended by adding   Section 54.053 to read as follows:          Sec. 54.053.  CREDIT FOR TIME SPENT IN DETENTION FACILITY   FOR CHILD WITHOUT DETERMINATE SENTENCE. (a)  This section applies   only to a child who is:                (1)  committed to the Texas Juvenile Justice Department   without a determinate sentence under Section 54.04(d)(2); or                (2)  subject to a hearing to modify disposition under   Section 54.05.          (b)  The judge of the court in which a child is adjudicated   shall give the child credit on the child's sentence for the time   spent by the child, in connection with the conduct for which the   child was adjudicated, in a secure detention facility before the   child's transfer to a Texas Juvenile Justice Department facility.          (c)  The Texas Juvenile Justice Department shall grant any   credit under this section or Section 243.002, Human Resources Code,   in computing the child's eligibility for parole and discharge.          SECTION 9.  Section 59.009, Family Code, is amended to read   as follows:          Sec. 59.009.  SANCTION LEVEL SIX. (a) For a child at   sanction level six, the juvenile court may commit the child to the   custody of the Texas Juvenile Justice Department [or a   post-adjudication secure correctional facility under Section   54.04011(c)(1)]. The department[, juvenile board, or local   juvenile probation department, as applicable,] may:                (1)  require the child to participate in a highly   structured residential program that emphasizes discipline,   accountability, fitness, training, and productive work for not less   than nine months or more than 24 months unless the department,   board, or probation department reduces or extends the period and   the reason for a reduction or an extension is documented;                (2)  require the child to make restitution to the   victim of the child's conduct or perform community service   restitution appropriate to the nature and degree of the harm caused   and according to the child's ability, if there is a victim of the   child's conduct;                (3)  require the child and the child's parents or   guardians to participate in programs and services for their   particular needs and circumstances; and                (4)  if appropriate, impose additional sanctions.          (b)  On release of the child under supervision, the Texas   Juvenile Justice Department parole programs [or the juvenile board   or local juvenile probation department operating parole programs   under Section 152.0016(c)(2), Human Resources Code,] may:                (1)  impose highly structured restrictions on the   child's activities and requirements for behavior of the child as   conditions of release under supervision;                (2)  require a parole officer to closely monitor the   child for not less than six months; and                (3)  if appropriate, impose any other conditions of   supervision.          (c)  The Texas Juvenile Justice Department[, juvenile board,   or local juvenile probation department] may discharge the child   from the custody of the department[, board, or probation   department, as applicable,] on the date the provisions of this   section are met or on the child's 19th birthday, whichever is   earlier.          SECTION 10.  Sections 264.302(d) and (e), Family Code, are   amended to read as follows:          (d)  The department may provide services under this section   to a child who engages in conduct for which the child may be found by   a court to be an at-risk child, without regard to whether the   conduct violates a penal law of this state of the grade of felony   other than a state jail felony, if the child was younger than 13   [10] years of age at the time the child engaged in the conduct.          (e)  The department shall provide services for a child and   the child's family if [a contract to provide services under this   section is available in the county and] the child is referred to the   department as an at-risk child by:                (1)  a juvenile court or probation department under   Section 54.01 or as part of a progressive sanctions program under   Chapter 59;                (2)  a law enforcement officer or agency under Section   52.03; or                (3)  a justice or municipal court under Article 45.057,   Code of Criminal Procedure.          SECTION 11.  Chapter 203, Human Resources Code, is amended   by adding Section 203.0171 to read as follows:          Sec. 203.0171.  COMMUNITY-BASED DIVERSION AND INTERVENTION   PLAN; TASK FORCE.  (a)  The department shall develop, and the board   shall adopt, a strategic diversion and intervention plan to   establish a network of community-based programs and services,   within defined geographic regions of this state, to rehabilitate   and keep children closer to home instead of placing children in   juvenile detention facilities.  The plan must:                (1)  develop or update an inventory of community-based   programs and services provided by local juvenile justice   organizations and community-based organizations that serve   juveniles;                (2)  create an intercept map that:                      (A)  plots resources and gaps across each   intercept point within the juvenile justice system;                      (B)  identifies local behavioral health services   to support diversion from the justice system;                      (C)  introduces community system leaders and   staff to evidence-based practices and emerging best practices   related to each intercept point; and                      (D)  includes customized, local maps and action   plans to address plotted gaps;                (3)  describe barriers to securing rehabilitative and   programmatic mental health and therapeutic treatment service   providers in rural, multicounty, and regional jurisdictions;                (4)  identify ways in which research-validated initial   risk assessments may be utilized to connect resources with risk and   protective factors identified in the assessments to create   individualized diversion plans;                (5)  highlight state and national models for   community-based collaborations and cross-system partnerships for   assessments and referrals of juveniles in need of mental health and   substance use treatment, aftercare, and recovery services;                (6)  develop a model memorandum of understanding and   provider contract for community-based programs and services;                (7)  describe and track the dispositional impact of the   variability of diversionary community-based programs and services   on court decisions to detain children in juvenile detention   facilities;                (8)  identify effective strategies for leveraging   community resources and strengths to divert children from placement   in juvenile detention facilities;                (9)  include a description of various community-based   programs and services that promote and incorporate trauma-informed   services, equity- and culturally responsive services,   gender-specific services, family involvement, wraparound services,   and services that promote rehabilitative juvenile services through   a therapeutic perspective; and                (10)  examine any other issue pertaining to juvenile   justice service providers and community-based infrastructure in   this state.          (b)  The board shall appoint a task force to, in   collaboration with the department's regionalization division   established under Section 203.017, consult with the department in   developing the plan. The task force is composed of the following   members:                (1)  representatives designated by the Advisory   Council on Juvenile Services;                (2)  regional representatives;                (3)  a juvenile court prosecutor, including a juvenile   court prosecutor serving on the Juvenile Law Section of the State   Bar of Texas;                (4)  a juvenile defense attorney or a defense attorney   serving on the Juvenile Law Section of the State Bar of Texas;                (5)  a juvenile court judge;                (6)  subject matter experts designated by the   department;                (7)  a representative designated by the Department of   Family and Protective Services;                (8)  a representative designated by the Office of Court   Administration of the Texas Judicial System;                (9)  a youth advocate from a nonprofit or   nongovernmental organization with experience in juvenile justice;                (10)  a member of the public who has personal   experience with or has been personally impacted by the juvenile   justice system;                (11)  a public or private program or service provider;                (12)  an academic researcher from an accredited   institution of higher education who specializes in juvenile justice   issues;                (13)  a staff member designated by an interested member   of the legislature; and                (14)  any other individual the board considers   necessary, including experts who may serve in an advisory capacity.          (c)  Not later than December 1, 2024, the department shall   submit a copy of the plan under this section to each member of the   legislature.          SECTION 12.  Subchapter A, Chapter 221, Human Resources   Code, is amended by adding Section 221.013 to read as follows:          Sec. 221.013.  COMMUNITY REINVESTMENT FUND. (a)  Each   county shall establish a community reinvestment fund.          (b)  The juvenile board or juvenile probation department of   the county shall partner with research-based service providers in   the community to use money in the community reinvestment fund to   provide services as an alternative to juvenile detention for youth   in the community, including by providing mentoring, behavioral and   mental health services, financial or housing assistance, job   training, educational services, and after-school activities.          (c)  The community reinvestment fund may be funded by:                (1)  surplus funds of the department;                (2)  the county; or                (3)  gifts, grants, and donations.          SECTION 13.  Subchapter B, Chapter 223, Human Resources   Code, is amended by adding Section 223.007 to read as follows:          Sec. 223.007.  INCENTIVE FUNDING FOR COMMUNITY-BASED   DIVERSION AND INTERVENTION.  (a)  The legislature may establish a   special account in the general revenue fund to supplement local   funds and encourage efficiencies in the formation of a network of   community-based programs and services within the regions of this   state and to generate savings by decreasing the population of   post-adjudication secure correctional facilities.          (b)  The department shall use the money in the account to   initiate and support the implementation of the strategic   community-based diversion and intervention plan under Section   203.0171, including the implementation of projects dedicated to   specific target populations based on risk and needs, and with   established recidivism reduction goals.  The department shall   develop discretionary grant funding protocols based on documented,   data-driven, and research-based practices.          (c)  A region is eligible to receive funding from the   department under this section only if the region meets the   performance standards established by the department and adopted in   contracts for community-based programs and services.          (d)  Funding under this section is authorized in addition to   reimbursements allocated by the department under Section 203.017.          (e)  The department shall prepare a report that:                (1)  outlines the amount of funds distributed as   incentive for the specific strategies, programs, and services   implemented as part of the plan described by Section 203.0171;                (2)  demonstrates that certain regions or geographic   areas are implementing the strategies implemented as part of the   plan described by Section 203.0171;                (3)  defines efficiencies of scale in measurable terms;                (4)  proposes a payment schedule for distributing funds   under this section; and                (5)  establishes a method for the documentation and   reporting of fund distributions under this section.          (f)  Not later than December 1, 2024, the department shall   submit a copy of the report under this section to each member of the   legislature.          SECTION 14.  Section 243.002, Human Resources Code, is   amended by adding Subsection (c) to read as follows:          (c)  A child shall receive credit on the child's sentence for   time spent, in connection with the conduct for which the department   is establishing the minimum length of stay under this section, in a   secure detention facility before the child's transfer to the   department.          SECTION 15.  The following provisions of the Family Code are   repealed:                (1)  Section 54.04(z); and                (2)  Section 264.302(c).          SECTION 16.  (a) Sections 54.01, 54.02, 54.04, 54.04013, and   54.05, Family Code, as amended by this Act, apply only to a hearing   that occurs on or after the effective date of this Act.  A hearing   that occurs before the effective date of this Act is governed by the   law in effect at the time the hearing occurred, and the former law   is continued in effect for that purpose.          (b)  Sections 54.052 and 59.009, Family Code, as amended by   this Act, and Section 54.053, Family Code, as added by this Act,   apply only to conduct that occurs on or after the effective date of   this Act.  Conduct that occurs before the effective date of this Act   is governed by the law in effect at the time the conduct occurred,   and the former law is continued in effect for that purpose.  For the   purposes of this section, conduct occurs before the effective date   of this Act if any element of the conduct occurred before that date.          SECTION 17.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2023.