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.