Texas Senate Bill SB1946

Texas 2025 - 89th Regular

• Filed: 3/5/25
• Out of Senate Committee: 5/5/25
• Voted on by Senate: 5/12/25
• Out of House Committee: 5/22/25
• Voted on by House: 5/28/25
• Governor Action: 6/20/25

Caption

Relating to the creation of a family violence criminal homicide prevention task force.

Impact

The establishment of the task force is expected to enhance coordination among state agencies and nonprofit organizations involved in family violence prevention and support services. By focusing on prevention, investigation, and prosecution strategies, the bill aims to reduce the incidence of family violence crimes and provide better resources for survivors. The task force will gather and analyze data to develop informed and targeted policies that aim to mitigate the risk factors contributing to family violence criminal homicides, thus significantly impacting local and state laws related to family violence.

Summary

SB1946 establishes the Family Violence Criminal Homicide Prevention Task Force in Texas. The bill mandates the formation of a task force within the criminal justice division to analyze risk factors associated with family violence criminal homicide, develop policy recommendations, and improve services for survivors. The task force is composed of various stakeholders, including representatives from family violence centers, legal services organizations, state agencies, and survivors of family violence. This collaborative approach is designed to address the complexities of family violence and improve the state's response to these tragic incidents.

Sentiment

The sentiment surrounding SB1946 seems to be generally positive, especially among advocates for family violence prevention. Supporters believe that the bill addresses a critical issue and fills a gap in resources for survivors of family violence. However, there may be some concerns regarding the effectiveness of the task force's recommendations and their implementation at the local level, as varying opinions exist on the best methods to tackle family violence across different communities.

Contention

Notable points of contention may arise regarding the composition of the task force and the effectiveness of its recommendations. Some stakeholders might question whether the task force can accurately represent the diverse needs of survivors across the state, particularly in rural versus urban settings. Furthermore, there could be discussions around the funding and resources allocated to ensure the task force can fulfill its objectives effectively, and whether it will be able to maintain the momentum needed for long-term impact.

Texas Constitutional Statutes Affected

Government Code

• Chapter 772. Governmental Planning
  • Section: New Section
  • Section: New Section
  • Section: New Section
  • Section: New Section
  • Section: New Section
  • Section: New Section

• Chapter 2110. State Agency Advisory Committees
  • Section: New Section

Human Resources Code

• Chapter 51. Family Violence Centers
  • Section: New Section
  • Section: New Section
  • Section: New Section

Penal Code

• Chapter 19. Criminal Homicide
  • Section: New Section

Family Code

• Chapter 71. Definitions
  • Section: New Section