H.B. 2525 78(R)    BILL ANALYSIS


H.B. 2525
By: Ellis
Criminal Jurisprudence
Committee Report (Unamended)



BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE 

Section 22.01(b) of the Penal Code makes it a third degree felony to
commit an offense against a public servant.  Currently, Texas contracts
with several private companies to carry out the typical duties of public
servants. House Bill 2525 includes in this assault provision, persons who
are under contract with the government to perform a service.  This
includes employees of private prisons who are not employees of the state
but are performing the duties of state employees.  

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 2525 amends the Penal Code to provide that assault against a
person who is under contract with the government to perform a service, as
well as their employees, is a third degree felony provided that it is
during the performance of the service or in retaliation for the service. 

EFFECTIVE DATE

September 1, 2003.