SRC-JBJ H.B. 460 77(R)   BILL ANALYSIS


Senate Research Center   H.B. 460
77R9073 JMG-DBy: Hartnett (West, Royce)
Criminal Justice
5/11/2001
Engrossed


DIGEST AND PURPOSE 

Current law provides that the first conviction of a person who knowingly
engages in or offers or agrees to engage in sexual conduct for a fee, or
solicits another in a public place to engage in sexual conduct for hire
(prostitution) is a Class B misdemeanor.  The penalty for subsequent
convictions is a Class A misdemeanor.  H.B. 460 provides that prostitution
is a state jail felony if a person has been previously convicted of
prostitution three or more times, and the offense was committed in or
within 300 feet of a residential area.  

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

This bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a
state officer, institution, or agency. 

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1.  Amends Section 43.02, Penal Code, by amending Subsection (c)
and by adding Subsection (d), to amend provisions regarding the offense of
prostitution and related penalties. 

SECTION 2.  Effective date: September 1, 2001.
            Makes application of this Act prospective.