S.B. 837 78(R)    BILL ANALYSIS


S.B. 837
By: Williams
Criminal Jurisprudence
Committee Report (Unamended)



BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE 

Under Section 22.021 (Aggravated Sexual Assault), Penal Code , a person
commits an aggravated sexual assault if the victim is younger than 14
years of age or older than 65 years of age.  However, this provision fails
to include disabled individuals in the protected class of sexual assault
prosecutions. Senate Bill 837 includes disabled individuals as a
specially-protected class of victims for the purposes of aggravated sexual
assault prosecutions.   

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

Senate Bill 837 amends the Penal Code to include disabled individuals as a
specially-protected class of victims for the purposes of aggravated sexual
assault prosecutions.  

EFFECTIVE DATE

September 1, 2003.