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House Bill 3 |
House Author: Thompson et al. |
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Effective: 9-1-11 |
Senate Sponsor: Huffman |
House Bill 3 amends the Penal Code to enhance the punishment for a defendant convicted of aggravated sexual assault to imprisonment in the Texas Department of Criminal Justice for life without parole if it is shown on the trial of the offense that the defendant has previously been finally convicted of continuous sexual abuse of a young child or children or aggravated sexual assault or an offense committed under another state's laws containing substantially similar elements. The bill includes aggravated sexual assault and an offense committed under another state's laws containing substantially similar elements as offenses a previous conviction of which renders such punishment enhancement for a defendant convicted of certain sexual offenses. The bill amends the Code of Criminal Procedure and the Government Code to make conforming changes in provisions relating to eligibility for deferred adjudication community supervision and release on parole.