Louderback Bill Builds A Crisis Task Force That Only Reports

The text as introduced · 720 words

89R16114 EAS-F

By: Louderback
H.B. No. 5528

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to the establishment of the Texas Law Enforcement Crisis

Prevention Task Force.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:

SECTION 1. Subtitle B, Title 9, Health and Safety Code, is

amended by adding Chapter 786 to read as follows:

CHAPTER 786. TEXAS LAW ENFORCEMENT CRISIS PREVENTION TASK FORCE

Sec. 786.001. DEFINITIONS. In this chapter:

(1) "Commission" means the Health and Human Services

Commission.

(2) "First responder" has the meaning assigned by

Section 421.095, Government Code.

(3) "Law enforcement agency" means an agency of the

state or of a political subdivision of the state authorized by law

to appoint or employ peace officers.

(4) "Local mental health authority" has the meaning

assigned by Section 571.003.

(5) "Task force" means the Texas Law Enforcement

Crisis Prevention Task Force established by this chapter.

Sec. 786.002. ESTABLISHMENT. The task force is established

to facilitate collaboration among law enforcement agencies, local

mental health authorities, and other key stakeholders for purposes

of developing strategies for improving coordination and

streamlining processes between local mental health authorities,

law enforcement agencies, and first responders when responding to a

crisis situation.

Sec. 786.003. COMPOSITION. The governor shall appoint the

membership of the task force. The task force must include:

(1) representatives from:

(A) the commission;

(B) the Department of Public Safety of the State

of Texas;

(C) the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement;

(D) municipal and county law enforcement

agencies;

(E) local mental health authorities; and

(F) fire departments;

(2) emergency medical services personnel; and

(3) advocacy groups focused on mental health and

crisis prevention.

Sec. 786.004. PRESIDING OFFICER. The governor shall

designate a member of the task force to serve as presiding officer

of the task force.

Sec. 786.005. VACANCY. A vacancy on the task force shall be

filled in the same manner as the original appointment.

Sec. 786.006. MEETINGS. The task force shall meet at least

quarterly at the call of the presiding officer.

Sec. 786.007. DUTIES. The task force shall:

(1) identify and address gaps in the coordination of

services between law enforcement agencies, local mental health

authorities, and first responders;

(2) develop recommendations for improving crisis

response, including recommendations for training programs and best

practices for law enforcement agencies and first responders;

(3) identify technological solutions to enhance

crisis response coordination, including by evaluating how entities

share data and communicate for purposes of improving service

delivery; and

(4) explore funding opportunities to support crisis

intervention initiatives and the provision of mental health

services.

Sec. 786.008. SUBCOMMITTEES ON SPECIFIC ISSUES. The task

force may establish subcommittees to address specific issues,

including:

(1) rural mental health response;

(2) data integration; and

(3) specialized crisis intervention training.

Sec. 786.009. ADMINISTRATIVE SUPPORT. The commission and

the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement shall provide

administrative support to the task force, including reasonably

necessary administrative and technical support.

Sec. 786.010. APPLICABILITY OF OTHER LAW. Chapter 2110,

Government Code, does not apply to the task force.

Sec. 786.011. REPORT. (a) Not later than September 1 of

each even-numbered year, the task force shall prepare and submit a

written report on the task force's activities to the governor, the

lieutenant governor, and the legislature that:

(1) summarizes findings on present challenges in

crisis response;

(2) identifies best practices for the provision of

crisis services, as determined through stakeholder input; and

(3) includes recommendations for:

(A) improving coordination between law

enforcement agencies, local mental health authorities, and first

responders; and

(B) legislative or other actions to improve

crisis intervention efforts.

(b) The commission shall publish the report under

Subsection (a) on the commission's Internet website.

Sec. 786.012. FUNDING. The task force may accept gifts,

grants, and donations to accomplish the purposes of the task force.

SECTION 2. As soon as practicable after the effective date

of this Act, the governor shall appoint the members of the Texas Law

Enforcement Crisis Prevention Task Force established by Chapter

786, Health and Safety Code, as added by this Act.

SECTION 3. 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, 2025.