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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to the Texas Rangers' unsolved crimes investigation team. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. The heading to Subchapter J, Chapter 411, |
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Government Code, is amended to read as follows: |
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SUBCHAPTER J. UNSOLVED CRIMES INVESTIGATION PROGRAM [TEAM] |
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SECTION 2. Section 411.262, Government Code, is amended to |
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read as follows: |
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Sec. 411.262. UNSOLVED CRIMES INVESTIGATION PROGRAM |
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[TEAM]. (a) The unsolved crimes investigation program [team] is |
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an investigative program [investigatory unit] within the |
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department. |
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(b) The program is a function [team will be located at the
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headquarters] of the Texas Rangers [in Austin, Texas,] and will be |
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commanded by the chief of the Texas Rangers. |
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(c) The director may employ commissioned peace officers and |
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noncommissioned employees to perform duties required of the program |
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[team]. |
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(d) To be eligible for employment under this section, a |
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peace officer must be a sergeant or higher-ranked officer of the |
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Texas Rangers and must have [not less than four years of experience
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as a peace officer and:
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[(1)
a degree from an accredited institution of higher
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education in law, accounting, or computer science; or
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[(2)] two or more years of experience in the |
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investigation of homicides or other major felonies. |
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(e) To be eligible for employment under this section, a |
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noncommissioned employee must meet the experience, training, and |
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educational qualifications set by the director as requirements for |
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investigating or assisting in the investigation of an unsolved |
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crime. |
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SECTION 3. Section 411.263, Government Code, is amended to |
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read as follows: |
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Sec. 411.263. ASSISTANCE ON REQUEST. On the request of an |
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attorney representing the state and with the approval of the |
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director, employees of the unsolved crimes investigation program |
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[team] of the department may assist local law enforcement in the |
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investigation of crime. |
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SECTION 4. This Act takes effect immediately if it receives |
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a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as |
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provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution. If this |
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Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this |
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Act takes effect September 1, 2009. |