BILL ANALYSIS

H.B. 2670

By: Howard

Homeland Security & Public Safety

Committee Report (Unamended)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

The Sexual Assault Survivors' Task Force (SASTF) in the Office of the Governor was created by the 86th Texas Legislature on a temporary basis with the intent to establish a survivor‑centered, trauma-informed, collaborative, and coordinated response to sexual violence experienced by adults and children in Texas. Through SASTF's work, Texas now leads the nation through a survivor‐centered, trauma‐informed response to sexual violence, where adult and child survivors are heard, believed, and supported; where offenders are held accountable; and where all system partners work collaboratively to transform the state's response to sexual violence. Recognizing the value SASTF brings to the state, H.B. 2670 seeks to make the task force permanent while also addressing other administrative matters relating to SASTF.

CRIMINAL JUSTICE IMPACT

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly create a criminal offense, increase the punishment for an existing criminal offense or category of offenses, or change the eligibility of a person for community supervision, parole, or mandatory supervision.

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, department, agency, or institution.

ANALYSIS

H.B. 2670 makes the Sexual Assault Survivors' Task Force (SASTF) permanent by repealing the Government Code provision setting SASTF to expire September 1, 2023. The bill amends the Government Code to change the composition of SASTF as follows:

· specifies that a representative of the Department of Family and Protective Services is included among the members appointed for purposes of representing each state agency that has duties relating to the prevention, investigation, or prosecution of sexual assault or other sex offenses or that provides services to survivors;

· includes the following as additional members:

o an adult survivor of child sexual abuse or the parent or guardian of a survivor of child sexual abuse; and

o a survivor of adult sexual assault; and

· removes as a member the president of the Texas Society of Pathologists or the president's designee.

The bill entitles a SASTF member who is not employed by a state agency or an individual invited by the governor to participate in scheduled task force meetings to a per diem in the amount provided by the General Appropriations Act for each day the member performs duties as a task force member or the individual attends a task force meeting. The bill also entitles such a member to reimbursement for actual and necessary expenses incurred in performing duties as a member or participant of the task force, as applicable.

H.B. 2670 repeals Section 772.0064(m), Government Code.

EFFECTIVE DATE

September 1, 2023.