SRC-JBJ S.B. 1578 76(R)   BILL ANALYSIS


Senate Research Center   S.B. 1578
By: West
Criminal Justice
4/6/1999
As Filed


DIGEST 

Currently, gang-related criminal activity, along with organized crime, is
conducted across the state. Associations of street gangs that move across
regions of the state serve to frustrate efforts by law enforcement agencies
to suppress gang-related crimes.  A statewide, coordinated approach, led by
the office of attorney general to track migration trends of gangs and gang
identification, would aid law enforcers in combating gang-related crimes.   

The office of attorney general would compile a gang resource system through
the use of Internet technology.  And through the use of a secure law
enforcement Internet website, gang investigative units can more accurately
anticipate where to concentrate gang suppression tactics, as well as assist
law enforcement in interpreting particular gang identifiers such as tatoos,
graffiti, and monikers. S.B. 1578 establishes an electronic gang resource
system maintained through the office of the attorney general. 

PURPOSE

As proposed, S.B. 1578 establishes an electronic gang resource system
maintained through the office of the attorney general. 

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

This bill does not grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state
officer, institution, or agency. 

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1.  Amends  Chapter  61, Code of Criminal Procedure, by adding
Article 61.08, as follows: 

Art. 61.08.  GANG RESOURCE SYSTEM.  Requires the attorney general's office
to establish an electronic gang resource system to provide law enforcement
agencies with information about street gangs in the state.  Sets forth
information required to be included in the system.  Requires law
enforcement agencies, within reason, to provide information to the system,
upon request by the attorney general's office.  Requires the attorney
general's office to cooperate with law enforcement agencies in collecting
and maintaining the accuracy of the information.  Prohibits information
specifically identifying an offender from being maintained in the system.
Provides that the information shall be used in investigating gangrelated
crimes, but shall not be included in affidavits or subpoenas used in other
legal or judicial proceedings.  Limits access to the system to law
enforcement personnel.  Sets forth access format for the system.
Authorizes the attorney general's office to coordinate with the Texas
Department of Criminal Justice to include groups in the system identified
by the Security Threat Group Management Office of the Texas Department of
Criminal Justice. 

SECTION 2.Emergency clause.
  Effective date: upon passage.