SRC-LBB H.B. 716 78(R)   BILL ANALYSIS


Senate Research Center   H.B. 716
By: Delisi (Harris)
Criminal Justice
5/18/2003
Engrossed


DIGEST AND PURPOSE 

In recent years, sports officials, including referees and coaches, have
increasingly become targets of violent acts. Despite the fact that their
official position often puts them in compromising positions, they are
afforded few protections under Texas law. H.B. 716 raises the level of a
crime against a sports official from a Class C misdemeanor to a Class B
misdemeanor. 
 
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 Sections 22.01(c) and (e), Penal Code, as follows:

(c)  Provides that an offense under Subsection (a)(2) or (3) is a Class C
misdemeanor, except that the offense is: 

(1)  a Class A misdemeanor if the offense is, rather than was, committed
under Subsection (a)(3) against an elderly individual or disabled
individual, as those terms are defined by Section 22.04; or 
(2)  a Class B misdemeanor if the offense is committed against a person
the actor knows is a sports official either: 
(A)  while the official is performing duties in the official's capacity as
a sports official; or 
(B)  in retaliation for or on account of the official's performance of a
duty within the official's capacity as a sports official. 

 (e)  Defines "sports official."

SECTION 2.  Makes application of this Act prospective.

SECTION 3.  Effective date:  September 1, 2003.