PURPOSES AND INTERPRETATION

This title shall be construed to have the following public purposes:

(1) creating a unified state juvenile justice agency that works in partnership with local county governments, the courts, and communities to promote public safety by providing a full continuum of effective supports and services to youth from initial contact through termination of supervision; and

(2) creating a juvenile justice system that produces positive outcomes for youth, families, and communities by:

(A) assuring accountability, quality, consistency, and transparency through effective monitoring and the use of systemwide performance measures;

(B) promoting the use of program and service designs and interventions proven to be most effective in rehabilitating youth;

(C) prioritizing the use of community-based or family-based programs and services for youth over the placement or commitment of youth to a secure facility;

(D) operating the state facilities to effectively house and rehabilitate the youthful offenders that cannot be safely served in another setting; and

(E) protecting and enhancing the cooperative agreements between state and local county governments. Added by Acts 2011, 82nd Leg., R.S., Ch. 85 (S.B. 653 ), Sec. 1.002, eff. September 1, 2011.