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.