Texas Senate Bill SB938

Texas 2009 - 81st Regular

Caption

Relating to a central database containing information about certain violent offenders who are members of a criminal street gang.

Impact

The introduction of this bill is expected to have significant implications for public safety and law enforcement strategies throughout Texas. By creating a registry of violent gang members, the state aims to enhance its ability to track and manage individuals deemed high risk due to their history of felony offenses. This could lead to increased collaboration among local law enforcement agencies and improved resources for community safety. The bill mandates the publication of relevant data online, including photographs of registered individuals, effectively increasing transparency and public access to this information.

Summary

Senate Bill 938 establishes a central database, managed by the Texas Department of Public Safety, specifically aimed at registering violent gang members who have been convicted of multiple felony offenses. The bill defines a 'violent gang member' as an individual identified as part of a criminal street gang and who holds a felony conviction or a grant of deferred adjudication for two or more felonies. This initiative seeks to ensure that such individuals maintain registration with the department until a decade has passed since their last felony conviction, thereby facilitating ongoing monitoring and community awareness regarding these offenders.

Contention

However, SB938 is not without its points of contention. Critics may argue that the public registry of gang members could result in stigmatization and unfair targeting of certain individuals, potentially impacting their reintegration into society. There is also a concern about privacy issues, particularly regarding the release of personal information, even if certain details like social security numbers are protected. Additionally, the effectiveness of such registries in genuinely preventing crime or gang activity remains a topic of debate among lawmakers and law enforcement experts alike.