84R8837 KJE-F
By: RodrÃguez S.B. No. 944
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to the establishment of a task force to promote uniformity
in the collection and reporting of information relating to family
violence, sexual assault, stalking, and human trafficking.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Chapter 72, Government Code, is amended by
adding Subchapter F to read as follows:
SUBCHAPTER F. TASK FORCE TO PROMOTE UNIFORMITY IN COLLECTION AND
REPORTING OF INFORMATION ON FAMILY VIOLENCE, SEXUAL ASSAULT,
STALKING, AND HUMAN TRAFFICKING
Sec. 72.101. DEFINITIONS. In this subchapter:
(1) "Family violence" has the meaning assigned by
Section 71.004, Family Code.
(2) "Task force" means the task force established
under this subchapter to promote uniformity in the collection and
reporting of information relating to family violence, sexual
assault, stalking, and human trafficking.
Sec. 72.102. TASK FORCE MEMBERSHIP. (a) The task force
consists of:
(1) one member from the office, appointed by the
director;
(2) 15 members appointed by the presiding officer of
the task force as follows:
(A) one member from the bureau of identification
and records of the Department of Public Safety;
(B) one member from a statewide family violence
advocacy organization;
(C) one member from a statewide sexual assault
advocacy organization;
(D) one member who is a prosecuting attorney with
experience in obtaining protective orders in cases involving family
violence, sexual assault, stalking, or human trafficking;
(E) one member who is a magistrate with
experience in issuing orders for emergency protection under Article
17.292, Code of Criminal Procedure;
(F) one member who is a judge or an associate
judge with experience in issuing protective orders in cases
involving family violence, sexual assault, stalking, or human
trafficking;
(G) one member from The University of Texas
School of Law Domestic Violence Clinic;
(H) one member who is from an organization that
receives federal funding under the legal assistance for victims
grant program and who has expertise in issues related to family
violence, sexual assault, or stalking;
(I) two members from a law enforcement agency,
including one member who is a constable;
(J) one member from the Texas Center for the
Judiciary;
(K) one member from the Texas Municipal Courts
Education Center;
(L) one member from the Texas Justice Court
Training Center;
(M) one member from the County and District
Clerks' Association of Texas; and
(N) one member from the child support division of
the office of the attorney general; and
(3) any other member whom the presiding officer
determines to be appropriate and who consents to serve on the task
force.
(b) The presiding officer of the task force is the member
who represents the office.
(c) Appointed members of the task force serve at the will of
the appointing authority. A vacancy on the task force must be
filled in the same manner as the original appointment.
Sec. 72.103. MEETINGS; COMPENSATION. (a) The task force
shall meet at the call of the presiding officer.
(b) Members of the task force serve without compensation or
reimbursement for expenses.
Sec. 72.104. DUTIES. (a) The task force shall:
(1) solicit and receive reports and testimony from
individuals, state and local agencies, community-based
organizations, and other public and private organizations,
including:
(A) survivors of family violence, sexual
assault, stalking, or human trafficking;
(B) law enforcement officials whose duties
include submitting information to the Texas Crime Information
Center;
(C) individuals with technical expertise in and
familiarity with the programming and maintenance of the database
maintained by the Texas Crime Information Center;
(D) individuals with technical expertise in and
familiarity with the office's database on family violence; and
(E) individuals with expertise in issues related
to family violence, sexual assault, stalking, or human trafficking;
and
(2) develop policy recommendations and best practices
guidelines for the uniform collection and reporting of information
relating to family violence, sexual assault, stalking, and human
trafficking.
(b) In developing policy recommendations and best practices
guidelines under Subsection (a)(2), the task force shall examine:
(1) the findings and recommendations of the "Best
Practices for Lawyers Representing Survivors of Domestic Violence,
Sexual Assault, Stalking, and Trafficking in the State of Texas"
report commissioned by the State Bar of Texas Legal Services
Support Division's Family Law Task Force;
(2) best practices regarding uniform data collection
and reporting; and
(3) any other studies and reports that the task force
considers relevant.
Sec. 72.105. REPORT. Not later than September 1, 2016, the
task force shall prepare and submit to the governor, the lieutenant
governor, the speaker of the house of representatives, and the
appropriate standing committees of the legislature a report that
includes:
(1) a description of the activities of the task force;
(2) the findings and recommendations of the task
force, including the policy recommendations and best practices
guidelines developed by the task force under Section 72.104(a)(2);
and
(3) any other matter that the task force considers
appropriate.
Sec. 72.106. ADMINISTRATIVE SUPPORT. The office shall
provide reasonably necessary administrative and technical support
for the activities of the task force.
Sec. 72.107. ASSISTANCE WITH RECOMMENDATIONS. The office
shall seek the assistance of the task force before the office makes
any recommendation as a result of the work done by the task force.
Sec. 72.108. EXPIRATION DATE. The task force is abolished
and this subchapter expires on September 1, 2017.
SECTION 2. As soon as practicable after the effective date
of this Act, the appropriate persons shall appoint the members of
the task force created by Subchapter F, Chapter 72, Government
Code, as added by this Act.
SECTION 3. 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, 2015.