By: Gutierrez H.B. No. 4040
 
 
 
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 
AN ACT
  relating to a pilot program for the establishment of a call center
  to assist victims of sexual assault.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  Subchapter A, Chapter 411, Government Code, is
  amended by adding Section 411.0210 to read as follows:
         Sec. 411.0210.  STATEWIDE CALL CENTER TO ASSIST SEXUAL
  ASSAULT VICTIMS. (a)  The department shall establish a pilot
  program for a statewide call center to assist victims of sexual
  assault.
         (b)  The call center shall maintain a 24-hour statewide
  toll-free telephone line operated in English and Spanish and
  staffed by trained employees and volunteers.  The call center shall
  provide information to victims of sexual assault and shall direct
  victims to appropriate external resources.  Information provided to
  victims of sexual assault may include information on crime victim
  compensation, forensic examination, and counseling.  The call
  center shall coordinate with other state and local governmental
  entities and organizations in this state to identify resources
  available to assist victims of sexual assault.
         (c)  Information held by the call center that identifies a
  victim of sexual assault is not public information for purposes of
  Chapter 552, Government Code.
         (d)  Not later than December 31, 2018, the department shall
  submit a report to the governor, lieutenant governor, speaker of
  the house of representatives, and members of the legislature
  evaluating pilot program.
         (e)  Unless this section is continued in effect by the
  legislature, this section expires September 1, 2019.
         SECTION 2.  
  This Act takes effect September 1, 2017.