BILL ANALYSIS



S.B. 286
By: Brown (Place)
5-3-95
Committee Report (Unamended)


BACKGROUND

The current definition of spouse does not include a provision for
an adult who is legally married to a person under the age of 17 to
have consensual intercourse with that spouse.  In current law a
person who engages in such an activity can be prosecuted as a sex
offender.

PURPOSE

As proposed, S.B. 286 defines spouse.

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 Section 22.011(c)(2), Penal Code, to define
"spouse."

SECTION 2.  Effective date: September 1, 1995.

SECTION 3.  Emergency clause.
     

SUMMARY OF COMMITTEE ACTION

SB 286 was considered in a public hearing on May 3, 1995.  SB 286
was reported favorably with the recommendation that it do pass and
be printed, by a record vote of 5 ayes, 0 nays, 0 pnv, and 4
absent.