84R18532 KJE-F

By: Burkett, Villalba, Farrar, et al. H.B. No. 2455

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to the establishment of a task force to promote uniformity in the collection and reporting of information relating to family violence, sexual assault, stalking, and human trafficking.

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

SECTION 1. Chapter 72, Government Code, is amended by adding Subchapter F to read as follows:

SUBCHAPTER F. TASK FORCE TO PROMOTE UNIFORMITY IN COLLECTION AND

REPORTING OF INFORMATION ON FAMILY VIOLENCE, SEXUAL ASSAULT,

STALKING, AND HUMAN TRAFFICKING

Sec. 72.101. DEFINITIONS. In this subchapter:

(1) "Family violence" has the meaning assigned by Section 71.004, Family Code.

(2) "Task force" means the task force established under this subchapter to promote uniformity in the collection and reporting of information relating to family violence, sexual assault, stalking, and human trafficking.

Sec. 72.102. TASK FORCE MEMBERSHIP. (a) The task force consists of:

(1) one member from the office, appointed by the director;

(2) 15 members appointed by the presiding officer of the task force as follows:

(A) one member from the bureau of identification and records of the Department of Public Safety;

(B) one member from a statewide family violence advocacy organization;

(C) one member from a statewide sexual assault advocacy organization;

(D) one member who is a prosecuting attorney with experience in obtaining protective orders in cases involving family violence, sexual assault, stalking, or human trafficking;

(E) one member who is a magistrate with experience in issuing orders for emergency protection under Article 17.292, Code of Criminal Procedure;

(F) one member who is a judge or an associate judge with experience in issuing protective orders in cases involving family violence, sexual assault, stalking, or human trafficking;

(G) one member from The University of Texas School of Law Domestic Violence Clinic;

(H) one member who is from an organization that receives federal funding under the legal assistance for victims grant program and who has expertise in issues related to family violence, sexual assault, or stalking;

(I) two members from a law enforcement agency, including one member who is a constable;

(J) one member from the Texas Center for the Judiciary;

(K) one member from the Texas Municipal Courts Education Center;

(L) one member from the Texas Justice Court Training Center;

(M) one member from the County and District Clerks' Association of Texas; and

(N) one member from the child support division of the office of the attorney general; and

(3) any other member whom the presiding officer determines to be appropriate and who consents to serve on the task force.

(b) The presiding officer of the task force is the member who represents the office.

(c) Appointed members of the task force serve at the will of the appointing authority. A vacancy on the task force must be filled in the same manner as the original appointment.

Sec. 72.103. MEETINGS; COMPENSATION. (a) The task force shall meet at the call of the presiding officer.

(b) Members of the task force serve without compensation or reimbursement for expenses.

Sec. 72.104. DUTIES. (a) The task force shall:

(1) solicit and receive reports and testimony from individuals, state and local agencies, community-based organizations, and other public and private organizations, including:

(A) survivors of family violence, sexual assault, stalking, or human trafficking;

(B) law enforcement officials whose duties include submitting information to the Texas Crime Information Center;

(C) individuals with technical expertise in and familiarity with the programming and maintenance of the database maintained by the Texas Crime Information Center;

(D) individuals with technical expertise in and familiarity with the office's database on family violence; and

(E) individuals with expertise in issues related to family violence, sexual assault, stalking, or human trafficking; and

(2) develop policy recommendations and best practices guidelines for the uniform collection and reporting of information relating to family violence, sexual assault, stalking, and human trafficking.

(b) In developing policy recommendations and best practices guidelines under Subsection (a)(2), the task force shall examine best practices regarding uniform data collection and reporting and any studies or reports that the task force considers relevant.

Sec. 72.105. REPORT. Not later than September 1, 2016, the task force shall prepare and submit to the governor, the lieutenant governor, the speaker of the house of representatives, and the appropriate standing committees of the legislature a report that includes:

(1) a description of the activities of the task force;

(2) the findings and recommendations of the task force, including the policy recommendations and best practices guidelines developed by the task force under Section 72.104(a)(2); and

(3) any other matter that the task force considers appropriate.

Sec. 72.106. ADMINISTRATIVE SUPPORT. The office shall provide reasonably necessary administrative and technical support for the activities of the task force.

Sec. 72.107. ASSISTANCE WITH RECOMMENDATIONS. The office shall seek the assistance of the task force before the office makes any recommendation as a result of the work done by the task force.

Sec. 72.108. EXPIRATION DATE. The task force is abolished and this subchapter expires on September 1, 2017.

SECTION 2. As soon as practicable after the effective date of this Act, the appropriate persons shall appoint the members of the task force created by Subchapter F, Chapter 72, 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, 2015.