SRC-BWC S.B. 654 77(R)BILL ANALYSIS


Senate Research CenterS.B. 654
By: Staples
Criminal Justice
6/12/2001
Enrolled


DIGEST AND PURPOSE 

Currently, there is no mechanism for professional licensing organizations
to be notified when a sex offender registers with local law enforcement.
The Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) created a form to be filled out
by sex offenders when the duty to register is imposed.  However, no
language is included in the form regarding the offenders professional
licenses.  S.B. 654 adds an additional requirement that sex offenders
disclose which professional licenses they currently hold or intend to seek.
This bill also requires DPS to forward the information provided by the sex
offender to the appropriate license.  This streamlines the process and
prevents the licensing authority from having to use additional resources to
locate sex offenders who hold licenses.  S.B. 654 does not apply to drivers
or hunting licenses. 

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 Article 62.02(b), Code of Criminal Procedure, to require
the Department of Public Safety (department) to provide the Texas
Department of Criminal Justice, the Texas Youth Commission, the Texas
Juvenile Probation Commission, and each local law enforcement authority,
county jail, and court with a form for registering persons required by this
chapter to register.  Requires the registration form to require a recent
color photograph or, if possible, an electronic digital image of the person
and a complete se of the person's fingerprints, and an indication of each
license, as defined by Article 62.08(f), that is held or sought by the
person. 

SECTION 2.  Amends Article 62.08, Code of Criminal Procedure, to require
the department to provide a licensing authority with notice of any person
required to register under this chapter who holds or seeks a license that
is issued by the authority, and requires the department to provide the
notice as the applicable licensing information becomes available through
the person's registration or verification of registration. 

SECTION 3.  Makes application of this Act prospective.

SECTION 4.  Effective date:  September 1, 2001.