SRC-JJJ S.B. 461 76(R)   BILL ANALYSIS


Senate Research Center   S.B. 461
76R3298 KEL-DBy: Nelson
Criminal Justice
2/20/1999
As Filed


DIGEST 

Currently, Texas law authorizes judges to sentence a defendant convicted of
certain offenses involving family violence under Title 5, Penal Code, to
community supervision.  Family violence shelter centers afford victims a
safe place to go and often also provide counseling services.  This bill
would authorize a judge to require a defendant convicted of certain
offenses involving family violence, as a condition of the defendant's
community supervision, to make a payment to a family violence shelter
center that receives state or federal funds and is located in an area
served by the court. 

PURPOSE

As proposed, S.B. 461 authorizes a judge to require a defendant convicted
of certain family violence offenses to make a payment to a family violence
shelter center as a condition of community supervision. 

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 11, Article 42.12, Code of Criminal Procedure,
by adding Subsection (g), to authorize a judge who grants community
supervision to a person convicted of an offense under Title 5, Penal Code,
that the court determines involves family violence, to require the person
to make one payment not to exceed $100 to a family violence shelter that
receives state or federal funds  and is located in an area served by the
court.  Defines "family violence" and "family violence shelter center." 

SECTION 2.  Makes application of this Act prospective.

SECTION 3.  Effective date: September 1, 1999.

SECTION 4.  Emergency clause.