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.