82R10137 MAW-D

By: Walle H.B. No. 2583

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to the establishment of a gang remediation task force.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:

SECTION 1. Subchapter B, Chapter 402, Government Code, is amended by adding Section 402.036 to read as follows:

Sec. 402.036. GANG REMEDIATION TASK FORCE. (a) In this section, "task force" means the gang remediation task force established under this section.

(b) The office of the attorney general shall establish the task force to assist political subdivisions and local law enforcement agencies in this state with their efforts to reduce gang-related violent crime.

(c) The attorney general shall appoint the members of the task force and designate a presiding officer of the task force. The task force must include representatives of:

(1) the offices of county attorneys, district attorneys, and criminal district attorneys;

(2) municipal or county governments;

(3) local law enforcement agencies;

(4) nongovernmental entities that provide training and other educational or remedial services to gang members to help reduce gang-related violence; and

(5) private businesses.

(d) The task force shall:

(1) apply for, receive, accept, and administer gifts, grants, and other funds available from any source, including the federal government;

(2) develop guidelines for reducing gang-related violence in this state based on the National Network for Safe Communities' group violence reduction strategy;

(3) provide assistance, including technical assistance, to political subdivisions of this state in developing comprehensive strategies to reduce gang-related violence based on the National Network for Safe Communities' group violence reduction strategy; and

(4) develop recommendations for strengthening state and local efforts to reduce gang-related violence.

(e) Not later than December 1 of each even-numbered year, the task force shall submit a report regarding the task force's activities, findings, and recommendations, including any proposed legislation, to the governor, the lieutenant governor, and each house of the legislature.

(f) The office of the attorney general shall supervise the administration of the task force. The office of the attorney general shall provide the necessary administrative support and facilities to assist the task force in performing its duties under this section.

SECTION 2. Not later than December 1, 2011, the office of the attorney general shall establish the gang remediation task force as required by Section 402.036, Government Code, as added by this Act.

SECTION 3. This Act takes effect immediately if it receives a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution. If this Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this Act takes effect September 1, 2011.