S.B. No. 2085

AN ACT

relating to a grant program for crime victim notification systems.

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

SECTION 1. Subchapter A, Chapter 772, Government Code, is amended by adding Section 772.0079 to read as follows:

Sec. 772.0079. GRANT PROGRAM FOR CRIME VICTIM NOTIFICATION SYSTEMS. (a) In this section:

(1) "Criminal justice division" means the criminal justice division established under Section 772.006.

(2) "Law enforcement agency" means an agency of the state or an agency of a political subdivision of the state authorized by law to employ peace officers.

(3) "Victim" means a person who has suffered personal injury or death as a result of the criminal conduct of another.

(b) The criminal justice division shall establish and administer a grant program to provide financial assistance to a law enforcement agency for purposes of purchasing or developing a crime victim notification system.

(c) The criminal justice division shall establish:

(1) eligibility criteria for grant applicants;

(2) grant application procedures;

(3) criteria for evaluating grant applications and awarding grants;

(4) guidelines related to grant amounts; and

(5) procedures for monitoring the use of a grant awarded under this section and ensuring compliance with any conditions of the grant.

(d) A crime victim notification system for which a law enforcement agency seeks a grant under this section must:

(1) notify a victim or relative of a deceased victim by e-mail or text message of all of the following regarding a victim's case:

(A) the date on which the incident report is created;

(B) the case number;

(C) the names of investigators who are assigned to the case;

(D) the date:

(i) an arrest is made; and

(ii) an affidavit alleging probable cause is presented to the attorney representing the state; and

(E) any other information relevant to the case;

(2) interface with the law enforcement agency's system of records;

(3) provide configurable triggers to directly send messages;

(4) provide the capability:

(A) to attach informational brochures or other electronic attachments to the messages; and

(B) for a person to check the status of the case with the law enforcement agency;

(5) monitor the number and types of messages sent and enable the law enforcement agency to visualize that data; and

(6) provide a survey tool so the law enforcement agency can solicit feedback on victims services.

(e) Information in the crime victim notification system is confidential and not subject to disclosure under Chapter 552.

(f) The criminal justice division may use any available revenue for purposes of this section.

(g) As a condition of receiving a grant under this section, a law enforcement agency shall periodically report to the criminal justice division the number and types of notifications sent using the crime victim notification system.

(h) Not later than December 30 of each year, the criminal justice division shall compile the information described by Subsection (g) into a written report provided to the legislature.

SECTION 2. This Act takes effect September 1, 2023.

______________________________ ______________________________

President of the Senate Speaker of the House

I hereby certify that S.B. No. 2085 passed the Senate on April 20, 2023, by the following vote: Yeas 31, Nays 0; and that the Senate concurred in House amendment on May 11, 2023, by the following vote: Yeas 30, Nays 0.

______________________________ Secretary of the Senate

I hereby certify that S.B. No. 2085 passed the House, with amendment, on May 5, 2023, by the following vote: Yeas 124, Nays 18, two present not voting.

______________________________ Chief Clerk of the House

Approved:

______________________________

Date

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Governor