S.B. No. 2085
 
 
 
 
AN ACT
  relating to a grant program for crime victim notification systems.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  Subchapter A, Chapter 772, Government Code, is
  amended by adding Section 772.0079 to read as follows:
         Sec. 772.0079.  GRANT PROGRAM FOR CRIME VICTIM NOTIFICATION
  SYSTEMS. (a)  In this section:
               (1)  "Criminal justice division" means the criminal
  justice division established under Section 772.006.
               (2)  "Law enforcement agency" means an agency of the
  state or an agency of a political subdivision of the state
  authorized by law to employ peace officers.
               (3)  "Victim" means a person who has suffered personal
  injury or death as a result of the criminal conduct of another.
         (b)  The criminal justice division shall establish and
  administer a grant program to provide financial assistance to a law
  enforcement agency for purposes of purchasing or developing a crime
  victim notification system.
         (c)  The criminal justice division shall establish:
               (1)  eligibility criteria for grant applicants;
               (2)  grant application procedures;
               (3)  criteria for evaluating grant applications and
  awarding grants;
               (4)  guidelines related to grant amounts; and
               (5)  procedures for monitoring the use of a grant
  awarded under this section and ensuring compliance with any
  conditions of the grant.
         (d)  A crime victim notification system for which a law
  enforcement agency seeks a grant under this section must:
               (1)  notify a victim or relative of a deceased victim by
  e-mail or text message of all of the following regarding a victim's
  case:
                     (A)  the date on which the incident report is
  created;
                     (B)  the case number;
                     (C)  the names of investigators who are assigned
  to the case;
                     (D)  the date:
                           (i)  an arrest is made; and
                           (ii)  an affidavit alleging probable cause
  is presented to the attorney representing the state; and 
                     (E)  any other information relevant to the case;
               (2)  interface with the law enforcement agency's system
  of records;
               (3)  provide configurable triggers to directly send
  messages;
               (4)  provide the capability:
                     (A)  to attach informational brochures or other
  electronic attachments to the messages; and
                     (B)  for a person to check the status of the case
  with the law enforcement agency;
               (5)  monitor the number and types of messages sent and
  enable the law enforcement agency to visualize that data; and
               (6)  provide a survey tool so the law enforcement
  agency can solicit feedback on victims services.
         (e)  Information in the crime victim notification system is
  confidential and not subject to disclosure under Chapter 552.
         (f)  The criminal justice division may use any available
  revenue for purposes of this section.
         (g)  As a condition of receiving a grant under this section,
  a law enforcement agency shall periodically report to the criminal
  justice division the number and types of notifications sent using
  the crime victim notification system.
         (h)  Not later than December 30 of each year, the criminal
  justice division shall compile the information described by
  Subsection (g) into a written report provided to the legislature.
         SECTION 2.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2023.
 
 
 
 
 
  ______________________________ ______________________________
     President of the Senate Speaker of the House     
 
         I hereby certify that S.B. No. 2085 passed the Senate on
  April 20, 2023, by the following vote: Yeas 31, Nays 0; and that
  the Senate concurred in House amendment on May 11, 2023, by the
  following vote: Yeas 30, Nays 0.
 
 
  ______________________________
  Secretary of the Senate    
 
         I hereby certify that S.B. No. 2085 passed the House, with
  amendment, on May 5, 2023, by the following vote: Yeas 124,
  Nays 18, two present not voting.
 
 
  ______________________________
  Chief Clerk of the House   
 
 
 
  Approved:
 
  ______________________________ 
              Date
 
 
  ______________________________ 
            Governor