SRC-JBJ S.B. 660 76(R)   BILL ANALYSIS


Senate Research Center   S.B. 660
By: Cain
Criminal Justice
3/15/1999
As Filed


DIGEST 

Currently, the Code of Criminal Procedure creates conditions for certain
criminals to prevent their participation in programs of areas designated
for children.  The drug and gun free zones were specifically created to
protect children from drug dealers, pedophiles, and other criminals.  S.B.
660 is an extension of current law and would require judges and parole
boards to establish a child safety zone for certain ex-convicts and inmates
charges with or convicted of certain sexual offenses against or involving
children.   

PURPOSE

As proposed, S.B. 660 creates certain conditions for community supervision,
parole, and mandatory supervision for certain violent offenders. 

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 Article 42.12, Code of Criminal Procedure, by adding
Section 13D, as follows: 

Sec. 13D.  DEFENDANTS PLACED ON COMMUNITY SUPERVISION FOR VIOLENT OFFENSES;
PROTECTING CHILDREN.  Authorizes a judge to establish a child safety zone
against a defendant granted community supervision convicted of an offense
listed in Section 3g(a)(1), Code of Criminal Procedure.  Sets forth
conditions of community supervision regarding a child safety zone.
Authorizes a defendant to request the judge to modify the zone if the zone
constitutes certain undue hardships on the defendant or the zone is broader
than necessary to protect the public.  Provides that this section does not
apply to a defendant described by Section 13B.  Defines "playground,"
"premises," school," "video arcade facility," and "youth center." 

SECTION 2.  Amends Subchapter 508G, Government Code, by adding Section
508.225, as follows: 

Sec. 508.225.  CHILD SAFETY ZONE.  Authorizes a parole panel to establish a
child safety zone as a condition of parole or release to mandatory
supervision for an inmate sentenced for an offense listed in Section
3g(a)(1), Article 42.12, Code of Criminal Procedure.  Sets forth activities
in which the inmate may not participate within the child safety zone.
Authorizes the inmate to request the parole panel to modify the zone if the
zone constitutes certain undue hardships on the defendant or the zone
broader than necessary to protect the public.  Provides that this section
does not apply to an inmate described by Section 508.187.  Defines
"playground," "premises," "school," "video arcade facility," and "youth
center."  

SECTION 3.  Effective date: September 1, 1999.

SECTION 4.Emergency clause.