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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to the creation of a retail theft investigation unit in the |
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Department of Public Safety. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Subchapter A, Chapter 411, Government Code, is |
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amended by adding Section 411.0093 to read as follows: |
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Sec. 411.0093. RETAIL THEFT INVESTIGATION UNIT. (a) A |
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retail theft investigation unit is created within the department to |
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investigate and arrest individuals determined to have committed |
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retail theft and organized retail theft. |
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(b) The unit shall: |
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(1) on request, assist local law enforcement agencies |
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and prosecutors in the investigation and prosecution of retail |
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theft and organized retail theft committed in this state; and |
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(2) investigate organized retail theft committed in |
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this state by combinations and criminal street gangs, as those |
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terms are defined by Section 71.01, Penal Code. |
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(c) The unit may accept and use evidence of retail theft or |
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organized retail theft submitted by victims and other informants |
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for the purpose of investigating those offenses. |
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SECTION 2. The Department of Public Safety is required to |
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implement a provision of this Act only if the legislature |
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appropriates money specifically for that purpose. |
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SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2023. |