H.B. 797 78(R) BILL ANALYSIS H.B. 797 By: Farabee Criminal Jurisprudence Committee Report (Unamended) BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Currently, a drug offense that occurs within 1,000 feet of a youth center is not penalized as heavily as a drug offense that occurs within 1,000 feet of school. If a drug offense is committed within 1,000 feet of a school, it is automatically classified as a more severe offense. Like schools, youth centers are institutions that should be protected from these type of offenses. Many Texas children regularly attend youth centers and their safety is of the utmost importance. House Bill 797 increases the penalty of a drug offense by one level, when that offense is committed within 1,000 feet of a youth center. 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 House Bill 797 amends the Health and Safety Code to increase the penalty of a drug offense by one level, when that offense is committed within 1,000 feet of a youth center. EFFECTIVE DATE September 1, 2003.