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


Senate Research CenterC.S.S.B. 1919
By: Harris
Criminal Justice
5/8/2003
Committee Report (Substituted)

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.  C.S.S.B. 1919  provides that
the penalty is raised from a Class C misdemeanor to Class B, if the
assault is committed against a sports participant. 

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 B misdemeanor if the offense is committed by a person who is not a
sports participant 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.