80R13209 UM-F
 
  By: Pena H.B. No. 3585
 
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to the provision of a computerized victim notification
system to certain state agencies and to counties.
       BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
       SECTION 1.  Article 56.541(e), Code of Criminal Procedure,
is amended to read as follows:
       (e)  The attorney general may use money appropriated from the
compensation to victims of crime fund for grants or contracts
supporting victim-related services or assistance, including
support for private Texas nonprofit corporations that provide
victim-related civil legal services directly to victims, immediate
family members of victims, or claimants and for the contract
described by Article 56.16. A grant supporting victim-related
services or assistance is governed by Chapter 783, Government Code.
       SECTION 2.  Subchapter A, Chapter 56, Code of Criminal
Procedure, is amended by adding Article 56.16 to read as follows:
       Art. 56.16.  VICTIM NOTIFICATION SYSTEM. (a)  The attorney
general shall operate, through a service contract with a third
party, a statewide automated victim notification system.  The
attorney general shall operate the system in a manner that allows
counties of this state and state agencies providing services to
victims, guardians of victims, or close relatives of deceased
victims to access the system without entering into any contract
with the third party with which the attorney general has a service
contract.
       (b)  The system operated under Subsection (a) must provide
information to counties and state agencies described by Subsection
(a) regarding:
             (1)  court proceedings relating to a defendant in a
victim's case; and
             (2)  the release, transfer, or escape of a defendant
convicted in a victim's case.
       (c)  This article does not create a cause of action against
the state or a state agency, official, or employee.
       SECTION 3.  As soon as practicable after the effective date
of this Act and in accordance with the terms of the contract, the
office of the attorney general shall amend any existing contract
with a third party for the provision of a statewide automated victim
notification system to comply with Article 56.16, Code of Criminal
Procedure, as added by this Act.
       SECTION 4.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2007.