| Vote Recommendation | Economic Freedom | Property Rights | Personal Responsibility | Limited Government | Individual Liberty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Yes | Neutral | Neutral | Positive | Positive | Neutral |
Relating to the creation of a family violence pretrial diversion pilot program in Bexar County.
No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.
HB 3529 would establish a family violence pretrial pilot diversion program in Bexar County. The program would involve assessments to analyze the
needs of participants; a comprehensive substance abuse disorder and
chemical dependency treatment program; a procedure to rapidly respond to participants who fail to comply with program requirements; and the use of a video teleconferencing system in court to facilitate cooperation of witnesses and reduce costs.
Texas Action supports HB 3529 as it advances the principle of limited government. The bill identifies individuals accused of family violence who have substance abuse or chemical dependence problems and aims at getting them treatment as part of a pretrial diversion program with the goal of reducing recidivism rates. We would like to note that the program could likely be more effective by expanding its scope beyond substance abuse disorders. For example, individuals with psychological disorders may also benefit from treatment.