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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to the creation of a task force on domestic violence. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Chapter 32, Health and Safety Code, is amended by |
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adding Subchapter C to read as follows: |
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SUBCHAPTER C. TASK FORCE ON DOMESTIC VIOLENCE |
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Sec. 32.061. DEFINITION. In this subchapter, "task force" |
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means the task force on domestic violence. |
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Sec. 32.062. ESTABLISHMENT; PRESIDING OFFICER. (a) The |
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task force is composed of 25 members appointed by the executive |
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commissioner of the Health and Human Services Commission as |
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follows: |
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(1) four representatives of family violence centers, |
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as defined by Section 51.002, Human Resources Code, from different |
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geographic regions in this state, including both rural and urban |
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areas; |
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(2) one representative of a statewide family violence |
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advocacy organization; |
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(3) one representative of a statewide association of |
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obstetricians and gynecologists; |
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(4) two representatives of the family and community |
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health programs in the Department of State Health Services; |
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(5) one representative of a statewide sexual assault |
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advocacy organization; |
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(6) one representative of the Health and Human |
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Services Commission Texas Home Visiting Program; |
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(7) one representative of a statewide association of |
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midwifery; |
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(8) one representative of a statewide family |
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physician's association; |
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(9) one representative of a statewide nursing |
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association; |
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(10) one representative of a statewide hospital |
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association; |
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(11) one representative of a statewide pediatric |
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medical association; |
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(12) one representative of a statewide medical |
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association; |
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(13) one representative of The University of Texas |
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School of Social Work Institute on Domestic Violence and Sexual |
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Assault; |
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(14) one representative of The University of Texas |
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School of Law Domestic Violence Clinic; |
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(15) one representative of the governor's EMS and |
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Trauma Advisory Council; |
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(16) one representative of a Department of Family and |
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Protective Services prevention and early intervention program; |
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(17) one representative of a statewide osteopathic |
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medical association; |
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(18) one representative of a statewide association of |
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community health centers; |
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(19) one representative of the Family Initiatives |
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section of the child support division of the office of the attorney |
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general; |
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(20) one representative from a medical school or a |
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teaching hospital in the state who is either an attending physician |
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of the hospital or a faculty member of the medical school; and |
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(21) one representative of the Health and Human |
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Services Commission's Family Violence Program. |
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(b) The executive commissioner of the Health and Human |
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Services Commission shall appoint a task force member to serve as |
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presiding officer of the task force. |
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Sec. 32.063. DUTIES OF TASK FORCE. The task force shall |
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meet at the call of the presiding officer to: |
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(1) examine the impact of domestic violence on |
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maternal and infant mortality, the health of mothers, and the |
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health and development of fetuses, infants, and children; |
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(2) identify the health care services available to |
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children age two and younger and mothers and explore opportunities |
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for improving the ability of those services to address domestic |
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violence; |
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(3) identify methods to effectively include domestic |
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violence information and support in educational standards for |
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educators and protocols for health care providers; and |
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(4) investigate and make recommendations relating to |
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the coordination of health care services for children age two and |
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younger and pregnant and postpartum women who are victims of |
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domestic violence, including recommendations for improving early |
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screening and detection and public awareness efforts. |
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Sec. 32.064. REPORT. Not later than September 1, 2015, the |
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task force shall submit a report to the governor, the lieutenant |
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governor, the speaker of the house of representatives, the |
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presiding officers of the standing committees of the legislature |
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having primary jurisdiction over health and human services, the |
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executive commissioner of the Health and Human Services Commission, |
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and the commissioner of state health services containing: |
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(1) the findings and legislative, policy, and research |
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recommendations of the task force; and |
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(2) a description of the activities of the task force. |
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Sec. 32.065. EXPIRATION. The task force is abolished and |
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this subchapter expires January 1, 2016. |
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SECTION 2. 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, 2013. |