SRC-CDH H.B. 1050 75(R) BILL ANALYSIS Senate Research Center H.B. 1050 By: Gutierrez (Moncrief) Criminal Justice 4-14-97 Engrossed DIGEST Current statute defines stalking as a course of conduct directed specifically toward another person on more than one occasion which the actor knows will cause the other person to be placed in fear of bodily injury, death, or an offense against the person's property. Stalking is defined as a Class A misdemeanor offense, except that it is a third degree felony if the defendant has been previously convicted. H.B. 1050 would also require an inmate serving for a stalking offense to attend psychological counseling sessions for a specific duration imposed by the parole panel. PURPOSE As proposed, H.B. 1050 establishes the conditions of parole or mandatory supervision for an inmate released after serving a sentence for the offense of stalking. RULEMAKING AUTHORITY This bill does not grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, institution, or agency. SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS SECTION 1. Amends Section 8(o)(1), Article 42.18, Code of Criminal Procedure, as amended by S.B. 97, Acts of the 75th Legislature, 1997, to authorize a parole panel, in addition to other conditions imposed, to require an inmate serving a sentence for an offense under Section 42.072, Penal Code, to attend psychological counseling sessions of a type and for a duration as specified by the parole panel, if the parole panel determines in consultation with a local mental health services provider that appropriate mental health services are available. Makes conforming changes. SECTION 2. Emergency clause. Effective date: upon passage.