BILL ANALYSIS
H.B. 592
By: Greenberg
2-28-95
Committee Report (Unamended)
BACKGROUND
Community Justice Councils were statutorily created by HB 2335 in
1991. These councils develop local community justice plans for
expanded community corrections programming. A task force of
appointed officials provides continuing policy guidance and
direction to the elected officials of the Council in the
development of community justice plans and community corrections
facilities and programs. The task force may consist of any number
of members. The current task force membership recommendations
include a variety of representatives from different agencies who
work on a daily basis with criminal justice and human services
issues. Also included is a representative of an organization
involved with defendants' rights. However, there is not a
representative dedicated specifically to victims' advocacy.
PURPOSE
H.B. 592 would add an advocate for the rights of victims to the
list of representatives who should be included in a community
justice task force. The addition of this advocate would assure
that victims of crime will be adequately represented in community
justice planning efforts.
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.
SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS
SECTION 1. Amends Section 3(b), Article 42.131, Code of Criminal
Procedure, by adding Section (16).
(16) adds a victims' advocate to the community justice task
forces.
SECTION 2. Emergency clause.
Effective upon passage.
SUMMARY OF COMMITTEE ACTION
H.B. 592 was considered by the Committee on Corrections in a public
hearing on February 28, 1995.
The following person testified in favor of the bill:
Natacha Pelaez-Wagner, representing the Travis County
Community Justice Council.
The bill was reported favorably without amendment, with the
recommendation that it do pass and be printed, by a record vote of
6 ayes, 0 nays, 0 pnv, and 3 absent.