88R7833 EAS-D     By: Paxton S.B. No. 2020       A BILL TO BE ENTITLED   AN ACT   relating to the creation of the criminal offense of mass   terroristic threat and to the establishment of the task force on   mass violence prevention.          BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:          SECTION 1.  Chapter 22, Penal Code, is amended by adding   Section 22.071 to read as follows:          Sec. 22.071.  MASS TERRORISTIC THREAT. (a)  A person commits   an offense if the person threatens to cause mass violence to a   person or property with the intent to intimidate or induce fear   through the infliction of serious bodily injury on:                (1)  more than one specific person; or                (2)  the public or a substantial group of the public.          (b)  An offense under this section is a felony of the third   degree.          (c)  If conduct that constitutes an offense under this   section also constitutes an offense under any other law, the actor   may be prosecuted under this section, the other law, or both.          SECTION 2.  (a)  In this section, "department" means the   Department of Public Safety of the State of Texas.          (b)  The task force on mass violence prevention is   established to evaluate the policies and practices regarding the   interaction between law enforcement agencies and the mental health   system in relation to incidents of mass violence in this state.          (c)  The task force is composed of the public safety director   of the department or the director's designee and the following   members appointed by the director:                (1)  a representative of the Health and Human Services   Commission;                (2)  a representative of the Texas Judicial Commission   on Mental Health;                (3)  a representative of the Texas Council of Community   Centers;                (4)  a representative of the Sheriffs' Association of   Texas; and                (5)  a qualified forensic mental health expert   certified in the evaluation of mass violence.          (d)  The public safety director of the department shall   designate a member of the task force to serve as the presiding   officer.          (e)  The department shall provide reasonably necessary   administrative and technical support to the task force.          (f)  The department may accept gifts, grants, or donations on   behalf of the task force to carry out the task force's duties under   this section.          (g)  Chapter 2110, Government Code, does not apply to the   task force.          (h)  Not later than December 1, 2024, the task force shall   prepare and submit a written report on the task force's activities   to the governor, the lieutenant governor, the speaker of the house   of representatives, and each standing committee of the legislature   with primary jurisdiction over criminal justice and mental health   matters.  The report must include legislative recommendations for:                (1)  standardizing protocols for the reporting of,   reaction to, and mitigation of the threat of mass violence;                (2)  aligning and coordinating laws in this state to   ensure a smooth transition between the criminal justice and mental   health systems; and                (3)  reducing incidents of mass violence in this state.          (i)  The task force is abolished and this section expires   September 1, 2025.          SECTION 3.  As soon as practicable after the effective date   of this Act, the public safety director of the Department of Public   Safety of the State of Texas shall appoint members to the task force   on mass violence prevention as required by Section 2 of this Act.          SECTION 4.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2023.