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A group of legislators who are concerned about the increasing growth in child pornography and safety of Texas children have banded together to form the Child Pornography Task Force. Their first meeting was held in Austin recently which was also attended by representatives of interested state agencies.
Testimony was presented by federal and state agencies about combating child pornography in Texas and the changes needed in Texas law to fight the shocking increase of child pornography on the Internet. Agencies making presentations to the group included the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the Office of the Texas Attorney General (OAG), the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS), the Criminal Justice Policy Council, the Texas Department of Criminal Justice (TDCJ), and Council on Sex Offender Treatment, the Department of Protective and Regulatory (DPRS), and the Texas Education Agency (TEA).
The United States Supreme Court decisions on this issue were explained and the legal ramifications discussed at the meeting. The Task Force will have several meetings in the future to consider legislation to be brought before the 78th Legislature which convenes January 2003 that will help protect children from exploitation as well as to strengthen laws to curb child pornography.
At the meeting, the Child Protective Services (CPS) reported that their agency had completed 111,970 child abuse and neglect investigations involving 182, 042 alleged victims. There were 42,813 confirmed victims of abuse and neglect. Of those confirmed victims, almost 15% were sexual abuse victims; 28.9% were children ages 13 and above; 22.8% were ages 10-12 years; 22.5% were ages 7-9 years; 19.3% were ages 4-6; and 6.5% for ages 0-3 years.
DPRS operates a toll-free, statewide telephone system to assist individuals in reporting child abuse and neglect: 1-800-252-5400.
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Texas Parks & Wildlife Department is sponsoring the third annual Lone Star Legacy Weekend Oct. 19 & 20 in 120 parks across the State. No entrance fees will be charged at any of the parks, but donations will be accepted on behalf of the State parks. The public is invited to discover the state's natural and cultural treasures at one or more of Texas' state parks. The Legacy Weekend offers an opportunity for Texans to get out and enjoy our incredible state park system. Locally, the Eisenhower State Park will host an Archery Tournament Oct. 19. Please visit the web site at:www.tpwd.state.tx.us/news/tpwcal/lsl.htm
State Representative Ron Clark
P.O. Box 2910
Austin, TX 78768-2910
(903) 893-9426 * (512) 463-0474
(512) 475-3767 (fax)
ron.clark@house.state.tx.us
http://www.grayson.edu/district62/RonClark.html
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