UNCLAIMED PROPERTY CLAIMS FILED ON BEHALF OF CRIME VICTIMS

(a) The department shall file a claim for unclaimed property under Section 74.501, Property Code, on behalf of a victim of a criminal offense if the reported owner of the unclaimed property: (1) was finally convicted of the criminal offense in this state; and (2) based on the final conviction: (A) was ordered to pay criminal restitution to the victim; and (B) on the date the claim is submitted, is confined in a facility operated by or under contract with the department. (b) The department shall quarterly send to the comptroller a data set regarding confined inmates to initiate the filing and facilitate the approval of the claims submitted under Subsection (a). (c) The department must file a claim under this section only if the department has: (1) received notification from a court under Section 501.014(e); and (2) confirmed with the county the amount of outstanding restitution owed before filing the claim if the department finds the confirmation to be necessary. (c-1) The department shall transfer to the clerk of the court that entered an order of restitution for which the department received notice as described by Subsection (c)(1) a restitution payment derived from unclaimed property for which a claim was filed by the department as described by Subsection (a). The department shall include with the restitution payment the last known address of the victim available to the department, if any. (c-2) The department shall post on the department's Internet website the contact information for a department employee who is able to respond to inquiries from county officials regarding a transferred restitution payment. (c-3) Information provided to the clerk of a court under Subsection (c-1) is confidential and not subject to disclosure under Chapter 552. (d) The department may adopt rules necessary to administer this section.