AEZ H.B. 195 75(R)BILL ANALYSIS CRIMINAL JURISPRUDENCE H.B. 195 By: Turner, Bob 3-26-97 Committee Report (Unamended) BACKGROUND It is generally recognized that the elderly members of our population are seen as easy targets by criminals. There seems to be a particularly high incidence of crimes against the elderly by unscrupulous handy men or independent home repair contractors who understand that the elderly have the money to pay for home repairs they can no longer make themselves. This was confirmed in a study conducted for the 72nd Legislature by the House Criminal Jurisprudence Committee. The committee determined that financial losses suffered in these instances generally range from $1,500 to $20,000 and concluded that the penalties for such crimes need to be increased. PURPOSE HB 195, as proposed, would increase the penalty for theft committed against the elderly when the financial loss incurred ranges between $1500 and $20,000. 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 31.01, Penal Code, Definitions, by adding Subdivision (10) to define "elderly individual" as having the meaning assigned by Section 22.04 (c), Penal Code. SECTION 2. Amends Section 31.03(e), Penal Code, Theft, by adding subsection (5)(A) which would make theft of the property of an elderly individual a third degree felony if the value of the stolen property is $1,500 or more, but less than $20,000. SECTION 3. Change in law made by this Act applies only to an offense committed on or after the effective date of the Act. SECTION 4. Effective Date: September 1, 1997. SECTION 5. Emergency Clause.