SRC-TAG H.B. 3113 78(R)   BILL ANALYSIS


Senate Research Center   H.B. 3113
By: Dunnam (Hinojosa)
Criminal Justice
5/22/2003
Engrossed


DIGEST AND PURPOSE 

Currently, there is some confusion among health care professionals about
requirements to report teenage sexual activity to law enforcement. The
confusion stems from a Senate amendment to H.B. 360, 77th Legislature,
which was introduced to end the sexual victimization of children forced to
engage in sexual performances by expanding the definition of "abuse" to
include sexual performance by a child. Furthermore, the Texas Senate
amendment added language explicitly covering some Penal Code offenses that
were already included in the law's general definition.  H.B. 3113
clarifies the definition of abuse by limiting the term to provide that
abuse includes  sexual conduct harmful to a child's mental, emotional, or
physical welfare. 

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 Section 261.001(l), Family Code, to redefine "abuse."

SECTION 2.  Effective date: upon passage or September 1, 2003.