SRC-TAG S.B. 1919 78(R)   BILL ANALYSIS


Senate Research Center   S.B. 1919
By: Harris
Criminal Justice
5/5/2003
As Filed


DIGEST AND PURPOSE 

In recent years, sports participants, including referees, athletes, and
coaches, have become targets of violent acts.  Despite the fact that their
official position often places them in compromising situation, they are
afforded few protections under Texas law.  As proposed, S.B. 1919 raises
the level of certain crimes against a sports participant from a Class C
misdemeanor to a Class A misdemeanor.  

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 Sections 22.01 (c) and (e), Penal Code, as follows: 

(c)  Provides that an offense under Subsections (a)(2) or (3) is a Class C
misdemeanor, except that the offense is a Class A misdemeanor if the
offense is committed under Subsection (a)(3) against an elderly individual
or disabled individual, as those terms are defined by Section 22.04, or  a
Class A misdemeanor if the offense is committed against a person the actor
knows is a sports participant either while the participant is performing
duties or responsibilities in the participant's capacity as a sports
participant or  in retaliation for or on account of the participant's
performance of a duty or responsibility within the participant's capacity
as a sports participant. 

 (e)  Defines "sports participant."

SECTION 2.  Makes application of this Act prospective. 

SECTION 3.  Effective date: September 1, 2003.