Campos Gunshot Study Bill Pays Three Big-City Police Departments

The text as introduced · 469 words

90R4007 MZM-D

By: Campos
H.B. No. 742

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to a study on unreported gunshots detected using gunshot

detection technology.

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

SECTION 1. STUDY ON UNREPORTED GUNSHOTS. (a) In this Act,

"department" means the Department of Public Safety of the State of

Texas.

(b) From money appropriated or otherwise available for the

purpose, the department shall contract with three eligible

municipal police departments to conduct a study on unreported

gunshots detected using gunshot detection technology. The study

must include the following information:

(1) the number of unreported gunshots detected using

gunshot detection technology that occur within the boundaries of

the municipality; and

(2) for each gunshot described by Subdivision (1) of

this subsection:

(A) the results of any police department

investigation related to the gunshot, including information

regarding whether the gunshot was intentional; and

(B) the number and type of criminal charges filed

as a result of the gunshot.

(c) To be eligible to receive a contract under Subsection

(b) of this section, a municipal police department must:

(1) be located in a municipality with a population of

more than 500,000; and

(2) submit an application to the department that

includes:

(A) a list of geographic areas within the

boundaries of the municipality that have been identified as having

high rates of unreported gunshots;

(B) an explanation of the police department's

previous experience with gunshot detection technologies; and

(C) the proposed members of a five-person

committee that the police department will establish to assist with

the study if the police department receives the contract,

including:

(i) one representative from the municipal

police department;

(ii) one representative from the sheriff's

department in the county in which the municipal police department

is located;

(iii) one person who serves as a school

district peace officer, a school resource officer, or security

personnel as described by Section 37.081, Education Code, and who

provides security at a school campus located in the municipality

described by Subdivision (1) of this subsection;

(iv) one representative of a neighborhood

association located in the municipality described by Subdivision

(1) of this subsection; and

(v) one member who is appointed by a member

of the house of representatives whose district contains any part of

the municipality described by Subdivision (1) of this subsection.

(d) Each municipal police department that the department

contracts with under Subsection (b) of this section shall prepare

and submit a report of its findings to the department not later than

September 1, 2028.

(e) Not later than December 31, 2028, the department shall

prepare and submit to the legislature a written report summarizing

the results of the study, disaggregated by municipality.

(f) This Act expires September 1, 2029.

SECTION 2. EFFECTIVE DATE. This Act takes effect September

1, 2027.