Subscribe to receive our Floor Reports covering all the action on the Texas House and Senate floor!
Relating to the modification of a disposition by a juvenile court after a child's violation of a condition of probation.
No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.
HB 3994 would prohibit a court in most circumstances from transferring a juvenile from probation into a juvenile prison if their violation of their probation did not break a criminal law. A court would only be permitted to do so if the juvenile’s conduct indicates that they are dangerous to themselves or the public or the placement in a facility is specifically to treat a diagnosed condition.
Texas Action supports HB 3994 because it would advance individual liberty and limited government. Juvenile offenders on probation should not be placed into prison, the greatest possible restriction on their liberty, if their violation of their probation did not violate a criminal law. HB 3994 would place a greater presumption of liberty onto juveniles and limit unnecessary exposure to prisons.