Bill > HB3360

This bill proposes several significant changes to juvenile justice procedures in Texas, primarily focused on strengthening accountability for juveniles who commit serious offenses while in the custody of the Texas Juvenile Justice Department (TJJD). The bill reduces eligibility for community supervision by prohibiting such supervision for felonies committed when a defendant is at least 17 years old and is committed to TJJD, residing in a halfway house, or placed in a secure facility. It modifies the definition of "habitual felony conduct" by reducing the number of previous adjudications required from two to one and simplifies the conditions for such a designation. The bill also expands the circumstances under which a juvenile can be transferred to adult criminal court, allowing transfer for probation violations when the individual is 18 or older, and lowering the age at which a juvenile can be considered for transfer to criminal custody from 16 to 15. Additionally, the bill requires the TJJD to extend a child's stay if they are alleged to have committed a felony during their commitment and prevents the discharge of children facing pending felony charges. These changes aim to provide more stringent oversight and potential consequences for juveniles who commit serious offenses while under state supervision, with the goal of enhancing public safety and juvenile accountability.

Justice

https://capitol.texas.gov/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=89R&Bill=HB3360