88R7833 EAS-D
By: Paxton S.B. No. 2020
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to the creation of the criminal offense of mass
terroristic threat and to the establishment of the task force on
mass violence prevention.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Chapter 22, Penal Code, is amended by adding
Section 22.071 to read as follows:
Sec. 22.071. MASS TERRORISTIC THREAT. (a) A person commits
an offense if the person threatens to cause mass violence to a
person or property with the intent to intimidate or induce fear
through the infliction of serious bodily injury on:
(1) more than one specific person; or
(2) the public or a substantial group of the public.
(b) An offense under this section is a felony of the third
degree.
(c) If conduct that constitutes an offense under this
section also constitutes an offense under any other law, the actor
may be prosecuted under this section, the other law, or both.
SECTION 2. (a) In this section, "department" means the
Department of Public Safety of the State of Texas.
(b) The task force on mass violence prevention is
established to evaluate the policies and practices regarding the
interaction between law enforcement agencies and the mental health
system in relation to incidents of mass violence in this state.
(c) The task force is composed of the public safety director
of the department or the director's designee and the following
members appointed by the director:
(1) a representative of the Health and Human Services
Commission;
(2) a representative of the Texas Judicial Commission
on Mental Health;
(3) a representative of the Texas Council of Community
Centers;
(4) a representative of the Sheriffs' Association of
Texas; and
(5) a qualified forensic mental health expert
certified in the evaluation of mass violence.
(d) The public safety director of the department shall
designate a member of the task force to serve as the presiding
officer.
(e) The department shall provide reasonably necessary
administrative and technical support to the task force.
(f) The department may accept gifts, grants, or donations on
behalf of the task force to carry out the task force's duties under
this section.
(g) Chapter 2110, Government Code, does not apply to the
task force.
(h) Not later than December 1, 2024, the task force shall
prepare and submit a written report on the task force's activities
to the governor, the lieutenant governor, the speaker of the house
of representatives, and each standing committee of the legislature
with primary jurisdiction over criminal justice and mental health
matters. The report must include legislative recommendations for:
(1) standardizing protocols for the reporting of,
reaction to, and mitigation of the threat of mass violence;
(2) aligning and coordinating laws in this state to
ensure a smooth transition between the criminal justice and mental
health systems; and
(3) reducing incidents of mass violence in this state.
(i) The task force is abolished and this section expires
September 1, 2025.
SECTION 3. As soon as practicable after the effective date
of this Act, the public safety director of the Department of Public
Safety of the State of Texas shall appoint members to the task force
on mass violence prevention as required by Section 2 of this Act.
SECTION 4. This Act takes effect September 1, 2023.