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.