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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 family violence pretrial diversion |
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pilot program in Bexar County. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Chapter 493, Government Code, is amended by |
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adding Section 493.032 to read as follows: |
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Sec. 493.032. FAMILY VIOLENCE PRETRIAL DIVERSION PILOT |
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PROGRAM. (a) In this section, "family violence" has the meaning |
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assigned by Section 71.004, Family Code. |
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(b) To reduce rates of family violence recidivism, the |
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executive director shall collaborate with judges in Bexar County |
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who have jurisdiction over cases involving family violence to |
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establish a family violence pretrial diversion pilot program for |
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individuals who are charged with an offense involving family |
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violence and who suffer from a substance abuse disorder or chemical |
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dependency. |
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(c) The pretrial diversion pilot program developed under |
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this section shall include: |
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(1) assessment instruments to accurately analyze the |
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needs of pilot program participants; |
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(2) a comprehensive substance abuse disorder and |
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chemical dependency treatment program that includes case managers, |
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clinicians, peer mentors, or recovery coaches; |
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(3) in collaboration with law enforcement agencies, a |
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procedure to rapidly respond to pilot program participants who fail |
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to comply with pilot program requirements, including, when |
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appropriate, immediate removal from the pilot program; and |
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(4) the use of a video teleconferencing system in |
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court to facilitate the cooperation of witnesses in the criminal |
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justice system and to reduce costs associated with transporting |
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defendants. |
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(d) The department shall review the pilot program |
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established under this section and submit a report to the governor, |
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the lieutenant governor, the speaker of the house of |
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representatives, and the legislature not later than December 1 of |
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each even-numbered year. The report must include: |
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(1) a summary of the status and results of the pilot |
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program; |
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(2) an analysis of the effectiveness of the pilot |
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program in reducing the rate of family violence recidivism among |
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individuals charged with an offense involving family violence and |
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suffering from a substance abuse disorder or chemical dependency; |
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(3) sources of funding available to extend the pilot |
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program to other counties or for a longer period of time, including |
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available local, state, and federal funding sources; and |
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(4) any legislative or other recommendations. |
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(e) This section expires September 1, 2023. |
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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, 2019. |