Zaffirini’s bill counting truancy case outcomes

The text as introduced · 579 words

By: Zaffirini
S.B. No. 1850

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to data collection of truancy case outcomes.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:

SECTION 1. Subchapter E, Chapter 65, Family Code, is

amended by adding Section 65.201 and renumbering subsequent

sections as follows:

Sec. 65.201. DATA COLLECTION ON CASE OUTCOMES. (a) The

truancy court shall annually report to the Office of Court

Administration regarding the following case outcomes, in total and

disaggregated by school district, race, ethnicity, sex, age, grade

level, eligibility for special education services, eligibility for

Section 504 services, pregnant or parenting status, homelessness

status, English learner status, and economically disadvantaged:

1) The number of referrals received under Section

25.0915, Education Code;

2) The number of referrals dismissed under Section

25.0915, Education Code;

3) The number of referrals forwarded to a truant conduct

prosecutor under Sec. 65.051;

4) The number of petitions filed by the truant conduct

prosecutor under Sec. 65.053;

5) The number of petitions dismissed due to the child's

mental illness under Sec. 65.065;

6) The number of cases dismissed due to a finding that

the child did not engage in truant conduct under Sec 65.101(g);

7) The number of judgments issued finding that the child

engaged in truant conduct under Sec. 65.101(h);

8) The number of remedial orders entered and

disaggregated under Sec. 65.103 requiring a child to:

A) Attend school without unexcused absences;

B) Attend a preparatory class for the high school

equivalency examination;

C) Take the high school equivalency examination;

D) Attend a nonprofit, community-based special

program;

E) Complete community service; or

F) Participate in a tutorial program;

9) The number of orders entered to suspend or deny the

issuance of a driver's license or permit to a child under Sec. 65.

103 (c) ;

10) The number of cases closed due to the child's

compliance with a remedial order;

11) The number of orders affecting parents and others

entered under Sec. 65.105;

12) The number of orders entered assessing court costs

under Sec. 65.107;

13) The number of orders entered holding a child in

contempt of court and assessing a fine under Sec. 65.251(a)(1);

14) The number of orders entered holding a child in

contempt of court and suspending or denying the issuance of a

driver's license or permit to a child under Sec. 65.251(a)(2);

15) The number of orders entered referring a child to

the juvenile probation department under Sec. 65.251(b);

16) The number of orders entered finding a parent or

person other than the child in contempt of court and:

(A) assessing a fine under Sec. 65.253(c);

(B) ordering confinement in jail under Sec.

65.253(d); or

(C) ordering community service under Sec.

65.253(d);

17) The number of writs of attachment issued under

Sec. 65.254; and

18) The number of warrants for arrest issued under

Sec. 65.258(d).

(b) The truancy court shall annually report to the Office of

Court Administration regarding the following information:

(1) the total amount of court costs collected under

Sec. 65.107;

(2) the total amount of fines assessed under Sec.

65.251(a)(1);

(3) the total amount of fines collected under Sec.

65.251(a)(1);

(4) the total amount of fines assessed under Sec.

65.253(c); and

(5) the total amount of fines collected under Sec.

65.253(c).

(c) The Office of Court Administration shall annually

publish the case outcomes and information for each court on the

office's public Internet website in a searchable format.

SECTION 2. This Act takes effect September 1, 2025.