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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to the provision of a computerized victim notification |
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system to certain state agencies and to counties. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Article 56.541(e), Code of Criminal Procedure, |
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is amended to read as follows: |
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(e) The attorney general may use money appropriated from the |
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compensation to victims of crime fund for grants or contracts |
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supporting victim-related services or assistance, including |
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support for private Texas nonprofit corporations that provide |
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victim-related civil legal services directly to victims, immediate |
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family members of victims, or claimants and for the contract |
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described by Article 56.16. A grant supporting victim-related |
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services or assistance is governed by Chapter 783, Government Code. |
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SECTION 2. Subchapter A, Chapter 56, Code of Criminal |
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Procedure, is amended by adding Article 56.16 to read as follows: |
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Art. 56.16. VICTIM NOTIFICATION SYSTEM. (a) The attorney |
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general shall operate, through a service contract with a third |
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party, a statewide automated victim notification system. The |
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attorney general shall operate the system in a manner that allows |
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counties of this state and state agencies providing services to |
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victims, guardians of victims, or close relatives of deceased |
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victims to access the system without entering into any contract |
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with the third party with which the attorney general has a service |
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contract. |
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(b) The system operated under Subsection (a) must provide |
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information to counties and state agencies described by Subsection |
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(a) regarding: |
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(1) court proceedings relating to a defendant in a |
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victim's case; and |
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(2) the release, transfer, or escape of a defendant |
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convicted in a victim's case. |
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SECTION 3. As soon as practicable after the effective date |
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of this Act and in accordance with the terms of the contract, the |
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office of the attorney general shall amend any existing contract |
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with a third party for the provision of a statewide automated victim |
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notification system to comply with Article 56.16, Code of Criminal |
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Procedure, as added by this Act. |
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SECTION 4. This Act takes effect September 1, 2007. |