89R16114 EAS-F
By: Louderback H.B. No. 5528
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to the establishment of the Texas Law Enforcement Crisis
Prevention Task Force.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Subtitle B, Title 9, Health and Safety Code, is
amended by adding Chapter 786 to read as follows:
CHAPTER 786. TEXAS LAW ENFORCEMENT CRISIS PREVENTION TASK FORCE
Sec. 786.001. DEFINITIONS. In this chapter:
(1) "Commission" means the Health and Human Services
Commission.
(2) "First responder" has the meaning assigned by
Section 421.095, Government Code.
(3) "Law enforcement agency" means an agency of the
state or of a political subdivision of the state authorized by law
to appoint or employ peace officers.
(4) "Local mental health authority" has the meaning
assigned by Section 571.003.
(5) "Task force" means the Texas Law Enforcement
Crisis Prevention Task Force established by this chapter.
Sec. 786.002. ESTABLISHMENT. The task force is established
to facilitate collaboration among law enforcement agencies, local
mental health authorities, and other key stakeholders for purposes
of developing strategies for improving coordination and
streamlining processes between local mental health authorities,
law enforcement agencies, and first responders when responding to a
crisis situation.
Sec. 786.003. COMPOSITION. The governor shall appoint the
membership of the task force. The task force must include:
(1) representatives from:
(A) the commission;
(B) the Department of Public Safety of the State
of Texas;
(C) the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement;
(D) municipal and county law enforcement
agencies;
(E) local mental health authorities; and
(F) fire departments;
(2) emergency medical services personnel; and
(3) advocacy groups focused on mental health and
crisis prevention.
Sec. 786.004. PRESIDING OFFICER. The governor shall
designate a member of the task force to serve as presiding officer
of the task force.
Sec. 786.005. VACANCY. A vacancy on the task force shall be
filled in the same manner as the original appointment.
Sec. 786.006. MEETINGS. The task force shall meet at least
quarterly at the call of the presiding officer.
Sec. 786.007. DUTIES. The task force shall:
(1) identify and address gaps in the coordination of
services between law enforcement agencies, local mental health
authorities, and first responders;
(2) develop recommendations for improving crisis
response, including recommendations for training programs and best
practices for law enforcement agencies and first responders;
(3) identify technological solutions to enhance
crisis response coordination, including by evaluating how entities
share data and communicate for purposes of improving service
delivery; and
(4) explore funding opportunities to support crisis
intervention initiatives and the provision of mental health
services.
Sec. 786.008. SUBCOMMITTEES ON SPECIFIC ISSUES. The task
force may establish subcommittees to address specific issues,
including:
(1) rural mental health response;
(2) data integration; and
(3) specialized crisis intervention training.
Sec. 786.009. ADMINISTRATIVE SUPPORT. The commission and
the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement shall provide
administrative support to the task force, including reasonably
necessary administrative and technical support.
Sec. 786.010. APPLICABILITY OF OTHER LAW. Chapter 2110,
Government Code, does not apply to the task force.
Sec. 786.011. REPORT. (a) Not later than September 1 of
each even-numbered year, the task force shall prepare and submit a
written report on the task force's activities to the governor, the
lieutenant governor, and the legislature that:
(1) summarizes findings on present challenges in
crisis response;
(2) identifies best practices for the provision of
crisis services, as determined through stakeholder input; and
(3) includes recommendations for:
(A) improving coordination between law
enforcement agencies, local mental health authorities, and first
responders; and
(B) legislative or other actions to improve
crisis intervention efforts.
(b) The commission shall publish the report under
Subsection (a) on the commission's Internet website.
Sec. 786.012. FUNDING. The task force may accept gifts,
grants, and donations to accomplish the purposes of the task force.
SECTION 2. As soon as practicable after the effective date
of this Act, the governor shall appoint the members of the Texas Law
Enforcement Crisis Prevention Task Force established by Chapter
786, Health and Safety 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, 2025.