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.