FUNDING AND CONSTRUCTION OF POST-ADJUDICATION FACILITIES.

(a) The department may provide state aid to a county to acquire, construct, and equip post-adjudication residential or day-treatment centers from money appropriated for those purposes. The facilities may be used for children who are placed on probation by a juvenile court under Section 54.04, Family Code, as an alternative to commitment to the facilities of the department.

(b) State funds provided to counties under Subsection (a) must be matched by local funds equal to at least one-fourth of the state funds.

(c) From money appropriated for construction of the facilities described by Subsection (a), the department shall contract with the Texas Department of Criminal Justice for construction management services, including:

(1) evaluation of project plans and specifications; and

(2) review and comment on the selection of architects and engineers, change orders, and sufficiency of project inspection.

(d) On completion of the review of project plans and specifications under Subsection (c), the Texas Department of Criminal Justice shall issue a comprehensive report that states in detail the proposed cost of the project. The department shall use the report in making a comparative evaluation of proposed projects and shall give priority to the projects the department finds are the most effective and economical.

(e) The department may not award money for a capital construction project for a facility under this section unless the department receives from the commissioners court of the county intending to use the facility a written commitment that the commissioners court has reviewed and accepted the conditions of the award. If more than one county intends to use the facility, the department must receive from each county a written commitment that the county will agree with the other counties to an interlocal contract to operate the facility in accordance with the conditions of the award.

(f) A county receiving state aid under this section shall adhere to department standards for the construction and operation of a post-adjudication secure residential facility.

(g) For a facility constructed under this section, not more than 25 percent of the operating costs of the facility may be reimbursed by the department.

(h) It is the intent of the legislature to appropriate the full amount of money authorized under Subsection (g).

(i) In this section, "operating costs" means the operating costs of a facility at an 80-percent occupancy rate.