H.B. 2544 78(R) BILL ANALYSIS H.B. 2544 By: Bonnen Law Enforcement Committee Report (Unamended) BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Under current law, sex offenders are required to observe child safety zones as set forth by the court or their conditions of release when they are under parole supervision. However, sex offenders whose probation and/or parole has terminated are not required to observe these zones, including school campuses. This situation can pose a safety risk for children. Given that some registered sex offenders are parents/guardians, it is important to allow them appropriate access to their child's school without compromising the safety of the children. House Bill 2544 would require sex offenders entering school premises to provide notification of their registration status and allow the school to provide a chaperon to accompany them. 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 SECTION 1. House Bill 2544 amends Article 62.03(a) of the Code of Criminal Procedure to provide that sex offenders due to be released from a penal institution must be informed that if they enter school premises they must immediately notify the administrative office of their presence and registration status as a sex offender. SECTION 2. House Bill 2544 amends Chapter 62 of the Code of Criminal Procedure by adding Article 62.0452, which provides that a registered sex offender under Chapter 62 must immediately notify the administrative office of the school of their presence and registration status upon entering school premises, and the school may provide a chaperon to accompany the person on school premises. These requirements are in addition to any other requirements associated with imposition on a child safety zone. SECTION 3. House Bill 2544 amends Article 62.06 of the Code of Criminal Procedure by adding Subsection (f), which provides that the local law enforcement authority must include a statement and description of these registration duties along with the registration form for verification. SECTION 4. The changes made by this Act apply to registered sex offenders under Chapter 62 of the Code of Criminal Procedure for an offense or conduct that was committed before, on, or after the effective date. EFFECTIVE DATE This Act takes effect September 1, 2003.