C.S.H.B. 478 78(R) BILL ANALYSIS C.S.H.B. 478 By: Farrar Criminal Jurisprudence Committee Report (Substituted) BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Victims of arson are often left traumatized after the occurrence, and need to be relocated to a different living situation for their own safety. Currently, victims of domestic violence may be reimbursed for moving expenses from the Compensation to Victims of Crime Fund, but victims of arson are not included. C.S.H.B. 478 expands the eligibility of a person to receive a onetime-only assistance payment for relocation expenses from the compensation to victims of crime fund to include victims of arson. RULEMAKING AUTHORITY It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, department, agency, or institution. ANALYSIS C.S.H.B. 478 amends the Code of Criminal Procedure to authorize a victim of arson to receive a onetime-only assistance payment for relocation and housing expenses. EFFECTIVE DATE September 1, 2003. COMPARISON OF ORIGINAL TO SUBSTITUTE C.S.H.B. 478 allows for a onetime-only assistance payment for relocation and housing expenses not included in the Introduced version of H.B. 478.