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Mental health problems are common among juvenile offenders, with state officials estimating that up to 40% of incarcerated juveniles in Texas have a diagnosable mental health disorder. Juvenile offenders are at a much greater risk of recidivism (returning to prison after release), particularly when inadequate treatment or simple neglect of their disorders impair their ability to comply with probationary requirements or the rules of residential facilities. Two of the bills the Legislature enacted last Session pertaining to this issue are House Bill 1901 and House Bill 1118.
HB 1901 - The prevalence and impact of mental health problems involving juvenile offenders requires an accurate assessment of potential mental health problems early in the judicial process. HB 1901 requires the Texas Council on Offenders with Mental Impairments (TCOMI) to develop a plan for identifying and assessing juveniles within the juvenile justice system who may have a behavioral or substance abuse problem. The bill authorizes pilot projects to be implemented to address prevention, intervention, and continuity of care for juveniles with mental health and substance abuse disorders. TCOMI is required to submit the study and plan, including recommendations and projected implementation funding, by December 2002. In particular, such assessments would assist Judges in taking effective action toward improving rehabilitation and correction, while reducing recidivism.
House Bill 1118 requires the Texas Juvenile Probation Commission (TJPC) to institute a standardized mental health screening instrument for use by juvenile probation departments across the state to screen children who have been formally referred to the department. TJPC officials have recently announced that they plan to adopt the Massachusetts Youth Screening Instrument based upon its ease of use and proven validity. The screening instrument will serve as a triage tool to determine whether immediate intervention is necessary at a point when other information about the juvenile may not be available.
State Representative Ron Clark
P.O. Box 2910
Austin, TX 78768-2910
(903) 893-9426 * (512) 463-0474
(512) 475-3767 (fax)
ron.clark@house.state.tx.us
http://www.grayson.edu/district62/RonClark.html
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