86R9327 YDB-D
 
  By: Neave H.B. No. 1531
 
 
 
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 
AN ACT
  relating to the creation of a specialty court for sexual assault
  victim services.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  Title 2, Government Code, is amended by adding
  Subtitle K-1 to read as follows:
  SUBTITLE K-1. SPECIALTY COURTS FOR VICTIMS
  CHAPTER 141. SEXUAL ASSAULT VICTIM SERVICES COURT PROGRAM
         Sec. 141.001.  SEXUAL ASSAULT VICTIM SERVICES COURT PROGRAM
  DEFINED. In this chapter, "sexual assault victim services court
  program" means a program that has the following essential
  characteristics:
               (1)  the integration of services provided by public
  agencies and community organizations for victims in sexual assault
  cases;
               (2)  the use of prosecutors with experience in
  prosecuting sexual assault cases;
               (3)  early identification and prompt placement of
  eligible victims in the program;
               (4)  access by victims to counseling and other related
  services provided by public agencies and community organizations;
               (5)  development of partnerships with public agencies
  and community organizations;
               (6)  monitoring and evaluation of program goals and
  effectiveness;
               (7)  continuing interdisciplinary education to promote
  effective program planning, implementation, and operations; and
               (8)  inclusion of a participant's family members who
  agree to be involved in the services provided to the participant
  under the program.
         Sec. 141.002.  AUTHORITY TO ESTABLISH PROGRAM; ELIGIBILITY.
  (a) The commissioners court of a county may establish a sexual
  assault victim services court program for participants who are
  victims of an alleged sexual assault in which a person is arrested
  for or charged with an offense under Chapter 21 or 22, Penal Code.
         (b)  The local administrative judge, for the courts for which
  the judge serves as local administrative judge, may select a court
  in the county for assignment of cases described by Subsection (a).
  The prosecuting attorney for the court must have experience in
  prosecuting sexual assault offenses under Chapter 21 or 22, Penal
  Code. 
         Sec. 141.003.  DUTIES OF SEXUAL ASSAULT VICTIM SERVICES
  COURT PROGRAM. (a) A sexual assault victim services court program
  established under this chapter must:
               (1)  ensure that a victim eligible for participation in
  the program volunteers to proceed through the program; and
               (2)  allow a participant to withdraw from the program
  at any time.
         (b)  A sexual assault victim services court program
  established under this chapter shall make, establish, and publish
  local procedures to ensure maximum participation of eligible
  victims in the county.
         Sec. 141.004.  GIFTS, GRANTS, AND DONATIONS.  A county may
  accept a gift, grant, donation, or bequest of money, services,
  equipment, goods, or other tangible or intangible property from any
  source for the sexual assault victim services court program.
         SECTION 2.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2019.