SRC-JBJ S.B. 786 77(R) BILL ANALYSIS Senate Research Center S.B. 786 7R4742 JMG-DBy: Barrientos Criminal Justice 4/17/2001 As Filed DIGEST AND PURPOSE Currently, there are over 7,000 unsolved homicides in the state of Texas. Many law enforcement agencies are not equipped for the conditions presented by the extended investigation of such cases. As proposed, S.B. 786 establishes the unsolved crimes investigation team within the Texas Department of Public Safety and sets forth provisions for its administration. RULEMAKING AUTHORITY This bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, institution, or agency. SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS SECTION 1. Amends Chapter 411, Government Code, by adding Subchapter J, as follows: SUBCHAPTER J. UNSOLVED CRIMES INVESTIGATION TEAM Sec. 411.261. DEFINITIONS. Defines "attorney representing the state" and "unsolved crime." Sec. 411.262. UNSOLVED CRIMES INVESTIGATION TEAM. (a) Provides that the unsolved crimes investigation team (team) is an investigatory unit within the Texas Department of Public Safety (department). (b) Provides that the team will be located at the headquarters of the Texas Rangers in Austin, Texas, and will be commanded by the chief of the Texas Rangers. (c) Authorizes the public safety director (director) to employ commissioned peace officers and noncommissioned employees to perform duties required of the team. (d) Requires a peace officer, to be eligible for employment under this section, to have not less than four years of experience as a peace officer and meet certain specific criteria. (e) Requires a noncommissioned employee, to be eligible for employment under this section, to meet certain criteria set by the director as requirements for investigating or assisting in the investigation of an unsolved crime. Sec. 411.263. ASSISTANCE ON REQUEST. Authorizes the team, on the request of an attorney representing the state and with the approval of the director, to assist local law enforcement in the investigation of crime. SECTION 2. Effective date: September 1, 2001.