To: Commissioners Court Members
From: Jim Allison, Senior General Counsel, County Judges and Commissioners Association of Texas
H.B. 1520/S.B. 1727, the Sunset Bill for the Texas Juvenile Justice Department, contains many needed reforms and improvements in the juvenile justice system. However, these bills would eliminate two of the three Commissioners Court members and two of the three public members on the Texas Juvenile Justice Board, leaving only one Commissioners Court member and one public member. In recent years, it has been difficult to obtain volunteers to serve on the Board of this dysfunctional agency. However, active participation by Commissioners Courts and the public are essential to implement the needed revisions in the juvenile justice system. Eliminating Commissioners Court and public members at this vital time would not seem to be good policy If you believe that continuing Commissioners Court and public membership on the Texas Juvenile Justice Board is important, and especially if you are willing to serve if appointed, please contact House sponsor Rep. Terry Canales at 512-463-0426 immediately and send an email to Terry.Canales@House.Texas.gov and also contact the members of the House Juvenile Justice and Family Issues Committee. You may find contact information for these members at Texas Legislature Online. This issue will be decided in the next few days. Please act now!
