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AN ACT
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relating to the creation of a family violence pretrial diversion |
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pilot program in Bexar County. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Chapter 509, Government Code, is amended by |
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adding Section 509.018 to read as follows: |
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Sec. 509.018. FAMILY VIOLENCE PRETRIAL DIVERSION PILOT |
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PROGRAM. (a) In this section, "family violence" has the meaning |
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assigned by Section 71.004, Family Code. |
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(b) To reduce rates of family violence recidivism, the |
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division shall collaborate with judges in Bexar County who have |
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jurisdiction over cases involving family violence to establish a |
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family violence pretrial diversion pilot program for individuals |
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who are charged with an offense involving family violence and who |
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suffer from a substance abuse disorder or chemical dependency. |
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(c) The pretrial diversion pilot program developed under |
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this section shall include: |
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(1) assessment instruments to accurately analyze the |
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needs of pilot program participants; |
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(2) a comprehensive substance abuse disorder and |
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chemical dependency treatment program that includes case managers, |
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clinicians, peer mentors, or recovery coaches; |
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(3) in collaboration with law enforcement agencies, a |
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procedure to rapidly respond to pilot program participants who fail |
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to comply with pilot program requirements, including, when |
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appropriate, immediate removal from the pilot program; and |
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(4) the use of a video teleconferencing system in |
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court to facilitate the cooperation of witnesses in the criminal |
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justice system and to reduce costs associated with transporting |
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defendants. |
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(d) The division shall review the pilot program established |
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under this section and submit a report to the governor, the |
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lieutenant governor, the speaker of the house of representatives, |
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and the legislature not later than December 1 of each even-numbered |
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year. The report must include: |
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(1) a summary of the status and results of the pilot |
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program; |
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(2) an analysis of the effectiveness of the pilot |
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program in reducing the rate of family violence recidivism among |
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individuals charged with an offense involving family violence and |
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suffering from a substance abuse disorder or chemical dependency; |
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(3) sources of funding available to extend the pilot |
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program to other counties or for a longer period of time, including |
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available local, state, and federal funding sources; and |
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(4) any legislative or other recommendations. |
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(e) This section expires September 1, 2023. |
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SECTION 2. This Act takes effect immediately if it receives |
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a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as |
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provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution. If this |
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Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this |
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Act takes effect September 1, 2019. |
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______________________________ |
______________________________ |
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President of the Senate |
Speaker of the House |
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I certify that H.B. No. 3529 was passed by the House on May 2, |
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2019, by the following vote: Yeas 143, Nays 0, 1 present, not |
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voting. |
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______________________________ |
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Chief Clerk of the House |
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I certify that H.B. No. 3529 was passed by the Senate on May |
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21, 2019, by the following vote: Yeas 31, Nays 0. |
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______________________________ |
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Secretary of the Senate |
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APPROVED: _____________________ |
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Date |
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_____________________ |
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Governor |