BILL ANALYSIS



H.B. 614
By: Uher
04-04-95
Committee Report (Unamended)


BACKGROUND

Boot camp programs offer short term military-style basic training
for young offenders convicted of nonviolent offenses.  An
intermediate sanction between probation and prison, boot camps
provide judges the opportunity to determine sentences suitable to
the particular offender.  Currently a court may recommend a person
for placement in the state boot camp program only if the person is
otherwise eligible for community supervision, the person is 17
years or older, but younger than 26 years and is physically and
mentally capable of participating in a program that requires
strenuous physical activity, and the person is not convicted of an
offense punishable as a state jail felony.   

PURPOSE

H.B. 614 lowers the eligibility age for placement in the state boot
camp program from 17 years to 15 years old.

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly
grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer,
department, agency or institution.

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS


SECTION 1. Amends Section 8(a), Article 42.12, Code of Criminal
           Procedure by lowering the eligibility age for placement
           in the state boot camp program from 17 to 15.

SECTION 2. This Act applies only to a defendant sentenced for an
           offense committed on or after the effective date of this
           Act.

SECTION 3. Effective date: September 1, 1995.

SECTION 4. Emergency clause.


SUMMARY OF COMMITTEE ACTION

H.B. 614 was considered by the Committee on Corrections in a public
hearing on April 4, 1995.  The Chair recognized Representative Uher
to explain the bill.

The following persons testified neutrally on the bill:
     Carl Reynolds, representing the Texas Board of Criminal
     Justice; and
     James A. Collins, representing the Texas Department of
     Criminal Justice.

The bill was reported favorably, without amendment, with the
recommendation that it do pass and be printed, by a record vote of
9 ayes, 0 nays, 0 pnv, and 0 absent.