Texas Code of Criminal Procedure 56A.403 – Duties of Peace Officers Regarding Victims of Sexual Assault
(a) A peace officer who investigates an incident involving sexual assault or who responds to a disturbance call that may involve sexual assault shall provide to the victim a written notice containing information about the rights of crime victims under Article 56A.052.
(b) At the initial contact or at the earliest possible time after the initial contact between a sexual assault victim and the peace officer responding to the incident or disturbance call about the offense, the peace officer shall:
(1) provide to the victim:
(A) a written referral to the nearest sexual assault program as defined by § 351.251, Local Government Code; and
(B) information about the statewide electronic tracking system established under § 420.034, Government Code;
(2) offer to request a forensic medical examination on behalf of the victim in accordance with Article 56A.251;
(3) coordinate with the local response team, as defined by § 351.251, Local Government Code, to provide continuing care to the victim or to further investigate the offense; and
(4) provide to the victim a written notice containing all of the information required by this article.
Terms Used In Texas Code of Criminal Procedure 56A.403
- Written: includes any representation of words, letters, symbols, or figures. See Texas Government Code 311.005
(c) Each law enforcement agency shall consult with a local sexual assault program or response team, as those terms are defined by § 351.251, Local Government Code, to develop the written notice required by Subsection (b). The notice must include the information described by Subsection (d) and may be combined with the written notice required under Article 56A.401. At least once each biennium, the law enforcement agency shall update the notice required by Subsection (b).
(d) The notice required by Subsection (b) must be in English and Spanish and include the current contact information for a victim assistance coordinator under Article 56A.201 and a crime victim liaison under Article 56A.203. The notice is considered sufficient if it includes the following statements: