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House Bill 1751 |
House Author: Pena |
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Effective: 9-1-05 |
Senate Sponsor: Whitmire |
House Bill 1751 amends provisions of the Code of Criminal Procedure relating to restitution payments by criminal defendants. The bill authorizes a court to order a defendant to make restitution to the compensation to victims of crime fund to the extent that the fund has paid compensation on behalf of the victim and gives direction to the court on factors to be considered in setting the restitution amount. The scheme of allowable means for restitution payment is simplified to include restitution to the victim for any expenses incurred as a result of the offense or to the fund to the extent that the fund has paid compensation on behalf of the victim. The bill provides that if a court requires the restitution to be made in installments, the court may require the defendant to pay a one-time fee of $12 to be divided equally between the court and the fund. House Bill 1751 also expands the group eligible to receive restitution to include a broader category of "victim" and a broader scope of compensable injuries by including personal injury (both mental and physical), rather than only bodily injury.