By: Barrientos, Harris S.B. No. 786 A BILL TO BE ENTITLED 1-1 AN ACT 1-2 relating to the creation of an unsolved crimes investigation team 1-3 within the Department of Public Safety of the State of Texas. 1-4 BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: 1-5 SECTION 1. Chapter 411, Government Code, is amended by 1-6 adding Subchapter J to read as follows: 1-7 SUBCHAPTER J. UNSOLVED CRIMES INVESTIGATION TEAM 1-8 Sec. 411.261. DEFINITIONS. In this subchapter: 1-9 (1) "Attorney representing the state" means a district 1-10 attorney, criminal district attorney, or county attorney performing 1-11 the duties of a district attorney. 1-12 (2) "Unsolved crime" means a criminal offense: 1-13 (A) that is an unsolved homicide or an unsolved 1-14 felony that is one offense arising out of the same criminal episode 1-15 as other unsolved felonies; and 1-16 (B) the investigation of which requires a level 1-17 of expertise that is not readily available to local law enforcement 1-18 agencies. 1-19 Sec. 411.262. UNSOLVED CRIMES INVESTIGATION TEAM. (a) The 1-20 unsolved crimes investigation team is an investigatory unit within 1-21 the department. 1-22 (b) The team will be located at the headquarters of the 1-23 Texas Rangers in Austin, Texas, and will be commanded by the chief 1-24 of the Texas Rangers. 1-25 (c) The director may employ commissioned peace officers and 2-1 noncommissioned employees to perform duties required of the team. 2-2 (d) To be eligible for employment under this section, a 2-3 peace officer must have not less than four years of experience as a 2-4 peace officer and: 2-5 (1) a degree from an accredited institution of higher 2-6 education in law, accounting, or computer science; or 2-7 (2) two or more years of experience in the 2-8 investigation of homicides or other major felonies. 2-9 (e) To be eligible for employment under this section, a 2-10 noncommissioned employee must meet the experience, training, and 2-11 educational qualifications set by the director as requirements for 2-12 investigating or assisting in the investigation of an unsolved 2-13 crime. 2-14 Sec. 411.263. ASSISTANCE ON REQUEST. On the request of an 2-15 attorney representing the state and with the approval of the 2-16 director, the unsolved crimes investigation team of the department 2-17 may assist local law enforcement in the investigation of crime. 2-18 SECTION 2. This Act takes effect September 1, 2001.