HBA-KMH H.B. 1043 76(R)    BILL ANALYSIS


Office of House Bill AnalysisH.B. 1043
By: Talton
Criminal Jurisprudence
3/5/1999
Introduced



BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE 

Currently, a person 17 years of age is considered an adult for criminal
purposes, yet under 18 years of age is designated for runaways.
Additionally, a person commits an offense for harboring a child who is
younger than 18 years of age.  H.B. 1043 redefines a child as a person
under 17 years of age, rather than 18, for the purpose of prosecuting the
offense of harboring a runaway child. 

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

It is the opinion of the Office of House Bill Analysis that this bill does
not expressly delegate any additional rulemaking authority to a state
officer, department, agency, or institution. 

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1.  Amends Section 25.06(a), Penal Code, to redefine a child as a
person under 17 years of age, rather than 18, for the purpose of
prosecuting the offense of harboring a runaway child. 

SECTION 2.  Makes application of this Act prospective.

SECTION 3.  Effective date: September 1, 1999.

SECTION 4.  Emergency clause.