Bill Text: TX HB4061 | 2017-2018 | 85th Legislature | Introduced

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Bill Title: Relating to the creation of a task force on intentional violent deaths.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)

Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2017-04-03 - Referred to Public Health [HB4061 Detail]

Download: Texas-2017-HB4061-Introduced.html

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85R13188 DMS-D
By: Hinojosa H.B. No. 4061

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to the creation of a task force on intentional violent
deaths.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. In this Act:
(1) "Department" means the Department of State Health
Services.
(2) "Task force" means the task force on intentional
violent deaths.
SECTION 2. (a) The department shall establish a task force
on intentional violent deaths. The task force shall develop a
written plan establishing measures and a timeline to reduce
intentional violent deaths in this state, including suicides and
homicides. The department shall:
(1) analyze current available local and state data
relating to intentional violent deaths and:
(A) identify gaps in the data; and
(B) recommend measures to improve data
collection;
(2) analyze, to the extent feasible, the impact mental
illness has on intentional violent deaths;
(3) review current laws in this state and other states
pertaining to addressing and preventing intentional violent
deaths; and
(4) review national best practices relating to
policies on reducing intentional violent deaths.
(b) The task force is composed of 11 members as follows:
(1) two members appointed by the governor;
(2) one member appointed by the lieutenant governor;
(3) one member appointed by the speaker of the house of
representatives;
(4) one representative of each of the following
agencies appointed by the executive head of the agency:
(A) the department;
(B) the Department of Public Safety of the State
of Texas;
(C) the Texas Department of Criminal Justice; and
(D) the Texas Suicide Prevention Council;
(5) one representative from a law enforcement
organization, appointed by the commissioner of state health
services; and
(6) two representatives from public health advocacy
organizations, appointed by the department.
(c) A task force member is not entitled to compensation or
reimbursement for expenses incurred in performing the member's
duties.
(d) Not later than October 1, 2017, each person responsible
for appointing members to the task force shall appoint the members
as required by Subsection (b) of this section.
(e) Not later than December 1, 2018, the task force shall
submit its written plan to the governor and members of the
legislature.
SECTION 3. The task force is abolished and this Act expires
September 1, 2019.
SECTION 4. This Act takes effect September 1, 2017.