By: Gutierrez H.B. No. 4040
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to a pilot program for the establishment of a call center
to assist victims of sexual assault.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Subchapter A, Chapter 411, Government Code, is
amended by adding Section 411.0210 to read as follows:
Sec. 411.0210. STATEWIDE CALL CENTER TO ASSIST SEXUAL
ASSAULT VICTIMS. (a) The department shall establish a pilot
program for a statewide call center to assist victims of sexual
assault.
(b) The call center shall maintain a 24-hour statewide
toll-free telephone line operated in English and Spanish and
staffed by trained employees and volunteers. The call center shall
provide information to victims of sexual assault and shall direct
victims to appropriate external resources. Information provided to
victims of sexual assault may include information on crime victim
compensation, forensic examination, and counseling. The call
center shall coordinate with other state and local governmental
entities and organizations in this state to identify resources
available to assist victims of sexual assault.
(c) Information held by the call center that identifies a
victim of sexual assault is not public information for purposes of
Chapter 552, Government Code.
(d) Not later than December 31, 2018, the department shall
submit a report to the governor, lieutenant governor, speaker of
the house of representatives, and members of the legislature
evaluating pilot program.
(e) Unless this section is continued in effect by the
legislature, this section expires September 1, 2019.
SECTION 2.
This Act takes effect September 1, 2017.