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


Senate Research CenterC.S.H.B. 716
By: Delisi (Harris)
Criminal Justice
5/21/2003
Committee Report (Substituted)


DIGEST AND PURPOSE 

In recent years, sports officials, including referees and coaches, have
increasingly become targets of violent acts. C.S.H.B. 716 raises the level
of a crime against certain sports participants 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 by a person who is
not a sports participant against a person the actor knows is a sports
participant either: 

(A)  while the participant is performing duties or responsibilities in the
participant's capacity as a sports participant; or 

(B)  in retaliation for or on account of the participant's performance of
a duty or responsibility within the participant's capacity as a sports
participant. 

 (e)  Defines "sports participant."

SECTION 2.  Makes application of this Act prospective.

SECTION 3.  Effective date:  September 1, 2003.