BILL ANALYSIS

H.B. 1906

By: Herrero

County Affairs

Committee Report (Unamended)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Evidence has shown that victims of domestic violence face a great risk of harm when leaving or separating from a batterer. The use of GPS technology can help keep survivors safe while the defendant is free on bond. Costs associated with GPS monitoring are paid for by the defendant, unless the defendant is indigent, in which case the costs fall upon the applicable county. Providing a way to alleviate the costs of GPS monitoring to counties would encourage the use of this technology to help deter future violence. H.B. 1906 seeks to address this issue by creating a grant program to reimburse counties for the costs incurred as a result of GPS monitoring in cases involving family violence.

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. 1906 amends the Government Code to require the criminal justice division of the governor's office to establish and administer a grant program to reimburse counties for all or part of the costs incurred by counties as a result of monitoring defendants and victims in cases involving family violence who participate in a global positioning monitoring system under a magistrate's order for emergency protection or a condition for release on bond after an arrest for an offense involving family violence. The bill requires the criminal justice division to establish the following:

· additional eligibility criteria for grant applicants;

· grant application procedures;

· guidelines relating to grant amounts;

· procedures for evaluating grant applications; and

· procedures for monitoring the use of a grant and ensuring compliance with any conditions of a grant.

H.B. 1906 restricts the use of funds by a grant recipient to monitoring conducted for the purpose of restoring a measure of security and safety for a family violence victim. The bill requires the criminal justice division to include in its biennial report to the legislature a detailed reporting of the grant program's results and performance. The bill authorizes the criminal justice division to use any revenue available for purposes of the grant program.

EFFECTIVE DATE

On passage, or, if the bill does not receive the necessary vote, September 1, 2021.