SRC-LBB, VRA S.B. 51 78(R) BILL ANALYSIS Senate Research Center S.B. 51 78R836 KEL-DBy: Zaffirini Criminal Justice 2/27/2003 As Filed DIGEST AND PURPOSE Currently, law enforcement agencies are not required to provide a victim of sexual assault with written information relating to local sexual assault services. Studies show that the first response a victim receives after reporting a rape significantly impacts the recovery period for the victim. As proposed, S.B. 51 requires law enforcement agencies to provide victims with written information about local sexual assault services that are available if the local rape crisis centers provide the written materials. 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 Article 56.07, Code of Criminal Procedure, as follows: Art. 56.07. NOTIFICATION. Creates Subsection (a) from existing text. (b) As added, requires a law enforcement agency, at the same time it provides notice under Subsection (a) regarding victim services, to also provide, if applicable, a referral to a sexual assault program as defined by Section 420.003, Government Code, and a written description of the services provided by that program. Requires a sexual assault program to provide a written description of its services on the request of a law enforcement agency. SECTION 2. Makes application of this Act prospective to October 1, 2003. SECTION 3. Effective date: upon passage or September 1, 2003.