H.B. No. 2620
AN ACT
relating to the creation of a task force on domestic violence.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Chapter 32, Health and Safety Code, is amended by
adding Subchapter C to read as follows:
SUBCHAPTER C. TASK FORCE ON DOMESTIC VIOLENCE
Sec. 32.061. DEFINITION. In this subchapter, "task force"
means the task force on domestic violence.
Sec. 32.062. ESTABLISHMENT; PRESIDING OFFICER. (a) The
task force is composed of 25 members appointed by the executive
commissioner of the Health and Human Services Commission as
follows:
(1) four representatives of family violence centers,
as defined by Section 51.002, Human Resources Code, from different
geographic regions in this state, including both rural and urban
areas;
(2) one representative of a statewide family violence
advocacy organization;
(3) one representative of a statewide association of
obstetricians and gynecologists;
(4) two representatives of the family and community
health programs in the Department of State Health Services;
(5) one representative of a statewide sexual assault
advocacy organization;
(6) one representative of the Health and Human
Services Commission Texas Home Visiting Program;
(7) one representative of a statewide association of
midwifery;
(8) one representative of a statewide family
physician's association;
(9) one representative of a statewide nursing
association;
(10) one representative of a statewide hospital
association;
(11) one representative of a statewide pediatric
medical association;
(12) one representative of a statewide medical
association;
(13) one representative of The University of Texas
School of Social Work Institute on Domestic Violence and Sexual
Assault;
(14) one representative of The University of Texas
School of Law Domestic Violence Clinic;
(15) one representative of the governor's EMS and
Trauma Advisory Council;
(16) one representative of a Department of Family and
Protective Services prevention and early intervention program;
(17) one representative of a statewide osteopathic
medical association;
(18) one representative of a statewide association of
community health centers;
(19) one representative of the office of the attorney
general;
(20) one representative from a medical school or a
teaching hospital in the state who is either an attending physician
of the hospital or a faculty member of the medical school; and
(21) one representative of the Health and Human
Services Commission's Family Violence Program.
(b) The executive commissioner of the Health and Human
Services Commission shall appoint a task force member to serve as
presiding officer of the task force.
Sec. 32.063. DUTIES OF TASK FORCE. The task force shall
meet at the call of the presiding officer to:
(1) examine the impact of domestic violence on
maternal and infant mortality, the health of mothers, and the
health and development of fetuses, infants, and children;
(2) identify the health care services available to
children age two and younger and mothers and explore opportunities
for improving the ability of those services to address domestic
violence;
(3) identify methods to effectively include domestic
violence information and support in educational standards for
educators and protocols for health care providers; and
(4) investigate and make recommendations relating to
the coordination of health care services for children age two and
younger and pregnant and postpartum women who are victims of
domestic violence, including recommendations for improving early
screening and detection and public awareness efforts.
Sec. 32.064. REPORT. Not later than September 1, 2015, the
task force shall submit a report to the governor, the lieutenant
governor, the speaker of the house of representatives, the
presiding officers of the standing committees of the legislature
having primary jurisdiction over health and human services, the
executive commissioner of the Health and Human Services Commission,
and the commissioner of state health services containing:
(1) the findings and legislative, policy, and research
recommendations of the task force; and
(2) a description of the activities of the task force.
Sec. 32.065. EXPIRATION. The task force is abolished and
this subchapter expires January 1, 2016.
SECTION 2. This Act takes effect immediately if it receives
a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as
provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution. If this
Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this
Act takes effect September 1, 2013.
______________________________ ______________________________
President of the Senate Speaker of the House
I certify that H.B. No. 2620 was passed by the House on May 2,
2013, by the following vote: Yeas 144, Nays 3, 2 present, not
voting; and that the House concurred in Senate amendments to H.B.
No. 2620 on May 24, 2013, by the following vote: Yeas 118, Nays 25,
2 present, not voting.
______________________________
Chief Clerk of the House
I certify that H.B. No. 2620 was passed by the Senate, with
amendments, on May 22, 2013, by the following vote: Yeas 31, Nays
0.
______________________________
Secretary of the Senate
APPROVED: __________________
Date
__________________
Governor