BILL ANALYSIS

H.B. 788

By: Geren

Homeland Security & Public Safety

Committee Report (Unamended)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

There have been calls to offer emergency service dispatchers who may be suffering from job‑related post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and committed offenses in relation to this condition the opportunity to be placed in a pre-trial diversion program. H.B. 788 seeks to make certain emergency service dispatchers eligible to participate in a public safety employees treatment court program.

CRIMINAL JUSTICE IMPACT

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly create a criminal offense, increase the punishment for an existing criminal offense or category of offenses, or change the eligibility of a person for community supervision, parole, or mandatory supervision.

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, department, agency, or institution.

ANALYSIS

H.B. 788 amends the Government Code to make an emergency service dispatcher of the state or of a political subdivision of the state eligible to participate in a public safety employees treatment court program. 

EFFECTIVE DATE

September 1, 2021.