1. (a) In this section, "general residential operation" has the meaning assigned by Section 42.002.

2. (b) A juvenile board shall establish policies that prioritize:

   1. (1) the diversion from referral to a prosecuting attorney under Chapter 53, Family Code, of children who are:

      1. (A) younger than 12 years of age; or
      2. (B) residing in a general residential operation, particularly children alleged to have engaged in conduct constituting a misdemeanor involving violence to a person; and

   2. (2) the limitation of detention, to circumstances of last resort, of children who are:

      1. (A) younger than 12 years of age; or
      2. (B) residing in a general residential operation.

3. (c) To monitor the success of policies implemented under Subsection (b) for children who reside in general residential operations, a juvenile board shall track:

   1. (1) the number of children referred to the board who reside in a general residential operation;
   2. (2) the number of children described by Subdivision (1) who receive deferred prosecution or are referred to the juvenile probation department; and
   3. (3) the general residential operation where a child described by Subdivision (1) resides.

Added by Acts 2017, 85th Leg., R.S., Ch. 698 (H.B. 1204), Sec. 3, eff. September 1, 2017.

Acts 2025, 89th Leg., 2nd C.S., Ch. 7 (H.B. 16), Sec. 10.09, eff. December 4, 2025.