Bill Text: TX HB3529 | 2019-2020 | 86th Legislature | Enrolled


Bill Title: Relating to the creation of a family violence pretrial diversion pilot program in Bexar County.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 2-0)

Status: (Passed) 2019-06-10 - Effective immediately [HB3529 Detail]

Download: Texas-2019-HB3529-Enrolled.html
 
 
  H.B. No. 3529
 
 
 
 
AN ACT
  relating to the creation of a family violence pretrial diversion
  pilot program in Bexar County.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  Chapter 509, Government Code, is amended by
  adding Section 509.018 to read as follows:
         Sec. 509.018.  FAMILY VIOLENCE PRETRIAL DIVERSION PILOT
  PROGRAM. (a)  In this section, "family violence" has the meaning
  assigned by Section 71.004, Family Code.
         (b)  To reduce rates of family violence recidivism, the
  division shall collaborate with judges in Bexar County who have
  jurisdiction over cases involving family violence to establish a
  family violence pretrial diversion pilot program for individuals
  who are charged with an offense involving family violence and who
  suffer from a substance abuse disorder or chemical dependency.
         (c)  The pretrial diversion pilot program developed under
  this section shall include:
               (1)  assessment instruments to accurately analyze the
  needs of pilot program participants;
               (2)  a comprehensive substance abuse disorder and
  chemical dependency treatment program that includes case managers,
  clinicians, peer mentors, or recovery coaches;
               (3)  in collaboration with law enforcement agencies, a
  procedure to rapidly respond to pilot program participants who fail
  to comply with pilot program requirements, including, when
  appropriate, immediate removal from the pilot program; and
               (4)  the use of a video teleconferencing system in
  court to facilitate the cooperation of witnesses in the criminal
  justice system and to reduce costs associated with transporting
  defendants.
         (d)  The division shall review the pilot program established
  under this section and submit a report to the governor, the
  lieutenant governor, the speaker of the house of representatives,
  and the legislature not later than December 1 of each even-numbered
  year.  The report must include:
               (1)  a summary of the status and results of the pilot
  program;
               (2)  an analysis of the effectiveness of the pilot
  program in reducing the rate of family violence recidivism among
  individuals charged with an offense involving family violence and
  suffering from a substance abuse disorder or chemical dependency;
               (3)  sources of funding available to extend the pilot
  program to other counties or for a longer period of time, including
  available local, state, and federal funding sources; and
               (4)  any legislative or other recommendations.
         (e)  This section expires September 1, 2023.
         SECTION 2.  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, 2019.
 
 
  ______________________________ ______________________________
     President of the Senate Speaker of the House     
 
 
         I certify that H.B. No. 3529 was passed by the House on May 2,
  2019, by the following vote:  Yeas 143, Nays 0, 1 present, not
  voting.
 
  ______________________________
  Chief Clerk of the House   
 
 
         I certify that H.B. No. 3529 was passed by the Senate on May
  21, 2019, by the following vote:  Yeas 31, Nays 0.
 
  ______________________________
  Secretary of the Senate    
  APPROVED:  _____________________
                     Date          
   
            _____________________
                   Governor       
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