Highlights 77th Texas Legislature - Senate

_______ C RIMINAL
RIMINAL JUSTICE
USTICE/Domestic /Domestic Violence
Family Violence Services - S.B. 47
by Senators Zaffirini and Lucio
House Sponsor: Representative Naishtat
77 th Texas Legislature
The Texas Department of Human Services (DHS) estimates that 857,745 women were victims of domestic
violence during the fiscal year 2000. That same year, DHS provided family violence services to 41,203
women, or about five percent of those in need. Many victims of family violence do not need residential
services, but may require other services such as counseling, court accompaniment, as well as referral to
community resources. Nonresidential programs are not recognized in the Human Resources Code and,
therefore, not eligible to receive state funding.
Authorizes DHS to award funds to nonresidential family violence centers and family violence special
projects.
Requires DHS to develop and maintain a plan for delivering family violence services in this state,
considering the geographic distribution of services, the need for services, and the need for increasing
services to underserved populations.
Providing for Protective Orders Regarding Dating Violence - S.B. 68
by Senator Moncrief, et al.
House Sponsors: Representative McCall, et al.
According to a 1995 Nebraska publication, "Dating Violence and Acquaintance Assault," up to one-third of
young adults between the ages of 16 and 24 have reported being involved in at least one abusive dating
situation and more than 80 percent of all sexual assaults occur between people who know each other,
including sexual assaults on dates. Many of these victims of violence are unable to obtain a protective
order from family violence because their attackers are not family or household members.
Defines “dating violence” and “dating relationship” and expands the definition of “family violence” to include
“dating violence.”
Authorizes an adult victim of dating violence to file an application for a protective order. Any adult may
apply for a protective order to protect a child.
No Firearms for Family Violence Perpetrators - S.B. 199
by Senators West and Van de Putte
House Sponsor: Representative Goodman
Under current state law, it is an offense to sell or transfer a firearm to someone subject to a protective
order, and under current federal law, it is an offense to possess a firearm while subject to a protective order
or after a misdemeanor family violence conviction. There are no state provisions that regulate the
possession of a firearm while subject to a protective order or after certain family violence convictions.
Senate Research Center 38