BILL ANALYSIS


                                                     C.S.S.B. 223
                                                    By: Zaffirini
                                                 Criminal Justice
                                                           2-8-95
                                   Committee Report (Substituted)
BACKGROUND

Victims of domestic violence have expressed concern that a released
batterer may attempt to find and harm them.  Providing notice to
the victims prior to release may enable the victim to find
alternate living arrangements or seek refuge.

PURPOSE

As proposed, C.S.S.B. 223 requires an agency holding a person in
the prevention of domestic violence to attempt to provide notice to
the victim prior to the person's release.

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

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

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1.  Amends Article 17.291, Code of Criminal Procedure, by
adding Subsection (c), to require an agency arresting or holding a
person in the prevention of family violence or before releasing a
person convicted of a family violence offense to make a reasonable
attempt to give personal notice of the imminent release to the
victim of the alleged offense or to a person designated by the
victim to receive notice prior to the release of the person being
held.

SECTION 2.     Emergency clause.
           Effective date: upon passage.