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Relating to status offenses committed by a child, including the repeal of the status offense of a child voluntarily running away from home.
No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.
HB 1709 would remove a child running away from home from the criminal offense of delinquent conduct. It would prohibit a child from being detained in any place other than a juvenile processing office, place of nonsecure custody, or nonsecure correctional facility if they are only charged with a status offense, offenses that apply only to minors. HB 1709 would also create timing requirements for a child to be released from nonsecure custody or a nonsecure correctional facility if they are only charged with a status offense.
Texas Action supports HB 1709 because it would eliminate criminal penalties for a child who is not committing a true criminal offense. While doing so might not be wise or desirable, a child choosing to run away from home should not be grounds for criminal punishment. HB 1709's requirement that a child charged only with a status offense be held in less serious places of custody would also limit unnecessary juvenile exposure to the criminal justice system.
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