Sec. 772.0079.  GRANT PROGRAM FOR CRIME VICTIM NOTIFICATION SYSTEMS.  (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.