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

NOTE: There are more recent revisions of this legislation. Read Latest Draft

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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-Comm_Sub.html

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86R17757 TSS-F
By: Gutierrez H.B. No. 3529
Substitute the following for H.B. No. 3529:
By: Neave C.S.H.B. No. 3529

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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 493, Government Code, is amended by
adding Section 493.032 to read as follows:
Sec. 493.032. 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
executive director 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 department 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.