By: Burkett, et al. (Senate Sponsor - Rodríguez) H.B. No. 2455
         (In the Senate - Received from the House May 6, 2015;
  May 6, 2015, read first time and referred to Committee on Criminal
  Justice; May 14, 2015, reported adversely, with favorable
  Committee Substitute by the following vote:  Yeas 7, Nays 0;
  May 14, 2015, sent to printer.)
Click here to see the committee vote
 
  COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE FOR H.B. No. 2455 By:  Whitmire
 
 
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)  "Dating violence" has the meaning assigned by
  Section 71.0021, Family Code.
               (2)  "Family violence" has the meaning assigned by
  Section 71.004, Family Code.
               (3)  "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)  16 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;
                     (N)  one member from the child support division of
  the office of the attorney general; and
                     (O)  one member from the Texas Education Agency;
  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:
                     (A)  family violence, sexual assault, stalking,
  and human trafficking; and
                     (B)  the implementation of dating violence
  training and awareness education in public schools under Section
  37.0831, Education Code.
         (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.
 
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