Sec. 96.65. CRIME VICTIMS' INSTITUTE

(a) In this section:

(1) "Close relative of a deceased victim" has the meaning assigned by Article 56.01, Code of Criminal Procedure.

(2) "Guardian of a victim" has the meaning assigned by Article 56.01, Code of Criminal Procedure.

(3) "Institute" means the Crime Victims' Institute.

(4) "Victim" has the meaning assigned by Article 56.01, Code of Criminal Procedure.

(b) It is the intent of the legislature to create an institute to:

(1) compile and study information concerning the impact of crime on:

(A) victims;

(B) close relatives of deceased victims;

(C) guardians of victims; and

(D) society;

(2) use information compiled by the institute to evaluate the effectiveness of criminal justice policy and juvenile justice policy in preventing the victimization of society by crime;

(3) develop policies to assist the criminal justice system and the juvenile justice system in preventing the victimization of society by crime; and

(4) provide information related to the studies of the institute.

(c) The headquarters of the institute are at Sam Houston State University in Huntsville, Texas. The institute is under the supervision and direction of the president of Sam Houston State University.

(d) The institute shall:

(1) conduct an in-depth analysis of the impact of crime on:

(A) victims;

(B) close relatives of deceased victims;

(C) guardians of victims; and

(D) society;

(2) evaluate the effectiveness of and deficiencies in the criminal justice system and the juvenile justice system in addressing the needs of victims, close relatives of deceased victims, and guardians of victims and recommend strategies to address the deficiencies of each system;

(3) determine the long-range needs of victims, close relatives of deceased victims, and guardians of victims as the needs relate to the criminal justice system and the juvenile justice system and recommend changes for each system;

(4) assess the cost-effectiveness of existing policies and programs in the criminal justice system and the juvenile justice system relating to victims, close relatives of deceased victims, and guardians of victims;

(5) make general recommendations for improving the service delivery systems for victims in the State of Texas;

(6) advise and assist the legislature in developing plans, programs, and legislation for improving the effectiveness of the criminal justice system and juvenile justice system in addressing the needs of victims, close relatives of deceased victims, and guardians of victims;

(7) make computations of daily costs and compare interagency costs on victims' services provided by agencies that are a part of the criminal justice system and the juvenile justice system;

(8) determine the costs to attorneys representing the state of performing statutory and constitutional duties relating to victims, close relatives of deceased victims, or guardians of victims;

(9) make statistical computations for use in planning for the long-range needs of the criminal justice system and the juvenile justice system as those needs relate to victims, close relatives of deceased victims, and guardians of victims;

(10) determine the long-range information needs of the criminal justice system and the juvenile justice system as those needs relate to victims, close relatives of deceased victims, and guardians of victims;

(11) enter into a memorandum of understanding with the Texas Crime Victim Clearinghouse to provide training and education related to the outcome of research and duties as conducted under Subdivisions (1)-(10);

(12) issue periodic reports to the attorney general and the legislature on the progress toward accomplishing the duties of the institute; and

(13) engage in other research activities consistent with the duties of the institute.

(e) The institute shall cooperate with the Criminal Justice Policy Council in performing the duties of the institute.

(f) The institute may enter into memoranda of understanding with state agencies in performing the duties of the institute.

(g) Local law enforcement agencies shall cooperate with the institute by providing to the institute access to information that is necessary for the performance of the duties of the institute.

(h) The president of Sam Houston State University may employ personnel as necessary to perform the duties of the institute.

(i) The institute may contract with public or private entities in the performance of the duties of the institute.

(j) The institute may accept gifts, grants, donations, or matching funds from a public or private source for the performance of the duties of the institute. The legislature may appropriate money to the institute to finance the performance of the duties of the institute. Money and appropriations received by the institute under this subsection shall be deposited as provided by Section 96.652.

Added by Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 485, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1995. Redesignated and amended from Government Code Sec. 412.001, 412.002, 412.011 to 412.016 by Acts 2003, 78th Leg., ch. 927, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 2003.