(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.
Added by Acts 2023, 88th Leg., R.S., Ch. 212 (S.B. 2085), Sec. 1, eff. September 1, 2023.