PROGRAM IN CERTAIN COUNTIES MANDATORY

(a) If a municipality in the county has not established a commercially sexually exploited persons court program, the commissioners court of a county with a population of more than 200,000 shall: (1) establish a commercially sexually exploited persons court program under this chapter; and (2) direct the judge, magistrate, or coordinator to comply with Section 121.002(c)(1). (b) A county required under this section to establish a commercially sexually exploited persons court program shall apply for federal and state funds available to pay the costs of the program. The criminal justice division of the governor's office may assist a county in applying for federal funds as required by this subsection. (b-1) A county may apply to the criminal justice division of the governor's office for a grant for the establishment or operation of a commercially sexually exploited persons court program. (c) Notwithstanding Subsection (a), a county is required to establish a commercially sexually exploited persons court program under this section only if: (1) the county receives sufficient federal or state funding specifically for that purpose; and (2) the judge, magistrate, or coordinator receives the verification described by Section 121.002(c)(2). (d) A county that does not establish a commercially sexually exploited persons court program as required by this section and maintain the program is ineligible to receive funds for a community supervision and corrections department from the state. Transferred, redesignated and amended by Acts 2015, 84th Leg., R.S., Ch. 604 (S.B. 536), Sec. 1, eff. June 16, 2015.