Honorable John Whitmire, Chair, Senate Committee on Criminal Justice
FROM:
John Keel, Director, Legislative Budget Board
IN RE:
HB59 by Wise (Relating to the offense of aggravated kidnapping, the punishment for the offense of kidnapping, and the definition of and punishment for the offense of trafficking in persons.), As Engrossed
No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.
The bill would amend the Penal Code by enhancing the punishment for the offense of kidnapping from a felony of the third degree to a felony of the second degree if the actor exposed the person abducted to a risk of bodily injury or the person abducted was younger than 17 years of age at the time of the commission of the offense. The Penal Code would be further amended by defining the conditions that constitute the offense of aggravated kidnapping. The bill would also amend the Penal Code by creating the offense of trafficking persons. The offense would be punishable as either a felony of the second degree, or as a felony of the first degree. The organized criminal activity provision of the Penal Code would be amended to include the offense of trafficking. It is assumed that the number of offenders convicted under this statute would not result in a significant impact on the programs and workload of state corrections agencies or on the demand for resources and services of those agencies.
Local Government Impact
No significant fiscal implication to units of local government is anticipated.