Texas House Bill HB2624

Texas 2011 - 82nd Regular

• Out of House Committee: 4/14/11
• Introduced: 3/9/11
• Voted on by House: 4/28/11
• Refer: 3/15/11
• Out of Senate Committee: 5/12/11
• Report Pass: 4/6/11
• Voted on by Senate: 5/19/11
• Engrossed: 4/28/11
• Governor Action: 6/17/11
• Refer: 5/3/11
• Report Pass: 5/12/11
• Enrolled: 5/21/11
• Passed: 6/17/11

Caption

Relating to procedures applicable in circumstances involving family violence or other criminal conduct and military personnel.

Impact

The implementation of HB 2624 is expected to have a considerable effect on how family violence cases are handled involving military members. By mandating that notifications be sent to military representatives, the bill aims to ensure that service members are afforded the necessary support and intervention from their respective military branches. This aligns the state's response to family violence with the unique circumstances faced by those in military service, potentially improving outcomes for victims and encouraging accountability among military personnel.

Summary

House Bill 2624 addresses the procedures applicable in circumstances involving family violence or other criminal conduct specifically concerning military personnel. The bill introduces modifications to the Family Code and the Code of Criminal Procedure, ensuring prompt notification to military authorities when a current or former member of the military is involved in incidents of family violence. This is particularly significant for law enforcement as it mandates the inclusion of military status in incident reports, thereby facilitating a more comprehensive response from the military to address situations involving their service members.

Contention

While the intent behind the bill is largely seen as constructive, certain points of contention may arise regarding issues of privacy and the potential stigma attached to being reported to military authorities. Some critics might argue that mandatory notification could discourage victims from reporting incidents or could impact the careers and reputations of military members unfairly. Balancing the need for effective intervention against potential repercussions for military personnel involved in family violence will be critical as the bill moves forward.